Stone Ward, a Little Rock-based full-service advertising firm, has been investing in the future of high-school students who have a passion for advertising and graphic design through a partnership with the Little Rock West High School of Innovation (LRWHSI).
Students enrolled in the program over the last school year have showcased their creativity and learned valuable skills through resources provided by Stone Ward, including career mentorship, a professionally-designed curriculum and a new annual scholarship.
Stone Ward’s creative team donated 162 hours to the program in the form of workshops and lectures, with a graphic design curriculum that provided an opportunity for participating seniors to earn both course credit and a certification for additional learning.
“Stone Ward concepted this forward-looking program to support and equip young creatives who have their eye on a career in graphic design and advertising,” said Millie Ward, president and co-founder of Stone Ward. “These students are the future workforce for our industry, and we’re committed to investing our agency’s time, talents, and resources to encourage their success. We’re excited to come alongside these talented students in developing their skills and watch this program grow.”
After the completion of a course and a creative poster competition, students were eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship via Stone Ward’s Building Good Fund through the Arkansas Community Foundation. Ayat Alkhatib was awarded the first of these scholarships and is planning on pursuing a minor in graphic design at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the fall.
“The Little Rock West High School of Innovation is incredibly proud of the students who participated in this course, as well as Ayat, who went above and beyond this year,” said Stacy Owens, program teacher for LRWHSI. “Stone Ward created a curriculum that helped these students gain valuable skills which will benefit them in all of their future endeavors. We are looking forward to continuing our work with Stone Ward and awarding this scholarship every year.”
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