Kylie Willet, a senior at Ashford University, will be one of more than 1,500 national finalists who will participate in the national ADDY awards competition. A panel of judges will choose winners from across the country May 6-7 in Washington, D.C. and national winners will be presented at the national ADDY Awards Show in San Diego, CA on June 4 in conjunction with the American Advertising Federation national conference.

The ADDYs are a creative competition with more than 40,000 local entries competing in 200 markets coast to coast. Winning an ADDY at the district level is the second step in competing for a national ADDY award. Any entry that wins a gold or silver ADDY at the district level is eligible to advance and compete in the national competition.

Willet, from Silvis, IL, won a gold ADDY for her Cesc Fabregas Illustration at the annual American Advertising Federation of the Quad Cities (AAF-QC) ADDY Awards Show in Rock Island on February 10. That entry then advanced to district competition against winners from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri where it received a silver award.

Mentors for Willet and her participation in the ADDY competition were Ashford University professors Matt Slaymaker and Dave Stedwell. “This is the first time we have had the work of one of our students reach the national competition and we are very proud that Kylie’s work has advanced this far,” Stedwell said.

Willet is expected to graduate from Ashford University with a bachelor’s degree in computer graphic design on April 30.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.