Somerville High School senior Sam Ryan receives a certificate and check for his award-winning graphic logo design for the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators 2025 Connecting for Success Conference. Pictured (L-R): Superintendent Dr. Ruben Carmona, Principal Alicia Kersten, Assistant Principal and Director of Career and Technical Education James Hachey, Sam Ryan, CFS Conference Chair Gabriella White, and Graphics Instructor Richard McElroy. (Photo: Allison Cammarata)

The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) has named Sam Ryan, a senior graphic design student at Somerville High School, as the winner of this year’s Connecting for Success (CFS) conference graphic design contest.

Ryan’s design was selected as the top choice from over 80 submissions through a rigorous three-round, double-blind selection process. The final decision was made by the conference steering committee, composed of leading education administrators from across Massachusetts. Connecting for Success is the premier professional development conference for vocational, technical, and agricultural educators in the state.

An 18-year-old student at Somerville High School, Ryan has distinguished himself as both a top scholar and a creative talent. A straight-A student, he placed eighth nationwide in the SkillsUSA National Competition for Advertising Design last year, and will be recognized as Somerville’s Most Outstanding Vocational Student by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) during an awards ceremony in April. His exceptional abilities extend beyond academics; he excels in both graphic design and interpersonal skills.

Outside the classroom, Ryan is a dedicated member of his school’s robotics team, which competes in the prestigious FIRST Robotics Competition. Additionally, he works at the city’s public fabrication lab, where he assists makers in bringing their projects to life in a collaborative, high-tech workspace. Beyond his technical pursuits, Ryan is also a talented writer, having authored an 85,000-word historical fiction novel.

Ryan’s winning graphic logo was inspired by the diverse career paths available to vocational students and visually depicted a bridge from a Massachusetts Career and Technical Education (CTE) student’s education to employability in the workforce. His design cleverly integrates tools symbolic of the Massachusetts Department of Education’s Chapter 74 programs into the “MAVA” acronym, visually linking education, represented by books, to the broader world of work represented by a globe.

Using Adobe Illustrator, Ryan refined multiple drafts through extensive feedback and critique sessions with instructors and peers. After his design was selected as the winner, he collaborated with Allison Cammarata, MAVA’s Connecting for Success Marketing and Communications Coordinator, to finalize the logo’s presentation.

“The most challenging part of the process was selecting the right tools to incorporate into the acronym,” said Ryan. “But in the end, it’s the part of the design that I’m most proud of.”

Upon learning of his victory, Ryan expressed excitement and gratitude. “I’m proud to be recognized for my work,” he said. “This achievement builds my portfolio and professional confidence, which will help me as I continue to pursue design.”

Ryan plans to further his education after high school, with aspirations to attend college and major in either graphic design or writing/communications.

Reflecting on his experience, Ryan offered advice to other young designers: “I believe that creative ideas bring the most meaningful and personally resonant change into the world. We live in a time when connection and change are needed, and imaginative individuals may be the ones to pioneer the new. So be creative and be intentional!”

When asked about the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) on his learning experience, Ryan said, “Participating in a CTE program lets me explore my passions, helping me discover my place in the world while sparking curiosity in ways that traditional subjects may not.”

He also expressed gratitude to his teachers, Richard McElroy and Gary Bunker, for helping him build a strong foundation in graphic design.

About the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA)

MAVA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advocating for high-quality vocational, technical, and agricultural education in Massachusetts. With more than 71 member schools and over 51,000 students enrolled in state-approved programs, MAVA is committed to strengthening the future workforce through education-industry partnerships.