Meet Our 2026 Visual Education Scholarship Winner: Sophia Mostrom
We Have a Winner!
Introducing the first-ever recipient of the Poster Studio Express Visual Education Scholarship — a $750 award celebrating the next generation of educators and designers.
📅 Announced July 29, 2026Sophia Mostrom
📍 Renton, Washington
🏅 Awarded $750School
George Fox University
Hometown
Renton, WA
Award
$750 🏅
Dream Job
Elementary Teacher 🍎
Sophia Mostrom is a student at George Fox University with her heart set on one goal: becoming an elementary school teacher. In her own words, she's passionate about "uplifting others and making meaningful connections" and believes deeply in the power of education to change lives.
Out of a nationwide pool of talented applicants, Sophia's original educational poster design and her essay on the power of visual learning stood out for exactly the qualities this scholarship was created to celebrate: creativity, pedagogy, and a genuine love for helping students succeed.
The Poster That Won It
Sophia's original design — 100% human-made!
Six Syllable Types, One Confident Reader
For her submission, Sophia designed an original poster teaching one of the most foundational skills in elementary literacy: the six syllable types. Closed, open, magic E, vowel team, R-controlled, and consonant-le — each broken down with color coding and kid-friendly examples so young readers can decode new words with confidence.
Every element is 100% human-created — a core requirement of the scholarship, which prohibits AI-generated artwork. Paired with her 500-word essay on how color, layout, and typography help students actually retain the concept, it's exactly the kind of thinking that turns a classroom wall into a teaching tool.
A Letter From Our Winner
Here's the thank-you letter Sophia shared on the official Bold.org winner announcement. (Grab a tissue — we needed one.)
Dear Poster Studio Express,
I'm incredibly grateful for being selected as a recipient of the Poster Studio Express Visual Education Scholarship. Your support truly encourages and empowers me as I pursue my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. This scholarship eases some of the financial stress that comes with higher education, giving me the opportunity to focus more fully on my studies and deepen my involvement in student activities and classroom experience.
As someone who is passionate about uplifting others and making meaningful connections, I believe deeply in the power of education to change lives. My experiences as a paraprofessional in the Issaquah School District and as an honors student at George Fox University have shown me how essential it is to create safe, engaging, and inspiring learning environments for every child. This award helps me continue on that path, supporting my commitment to serve students and help them reach their full potential.
Your mission to foster transformative visual learning resonates with me, and I appreciate how Poster Studio Express recognizes the profound impact that creative classroom visuals and recognition can have on young learners. Knowing that organizations like yours are dedicated to supporting aspiring educators like myself is truly motivating.
Thank you for your generosity and for believing in the next generation of teachers. Your support has made a real difference in my journey, and I look forward to carrying your vision for dynamic education into my future classroom.
Thank you,
Sophia MostromAbout the Visual Education Scholarship
At Poster Studio Express, we spend every day helping K–12 schools bring visual learning to life with wide-format poster makers, classroom visuals, PBIS signage, and student recognition displays. Behind every great classroom environment is an educator who understands visual communication — and a designer who brings those concepts to life. The Poster Studio Express Visual Education Scholarship was created to support the future leaders of both fields.
The Award
A $750 scholarship, paid directly to the winner's accredited college or university, for a student pursuing Education, Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or Educational Technology.
The Challenge
Design an original educational poster that teaches a real K–12 curriculum standard, plus a 500-word essay on the visual strategy behind it. 100% human-created — no AI allowed.
The Why
Dynamic classroom visuals foster engagement and inspire student success. Investing in tomorrow's educators and designers means investing in tomorrow's classrooms.
Applications Closed
June 30, 2026 — students nationwide submitted original poster designs and impact essays.
Winner Announced
July 29, 2026 — Sophia was named the winner on the official Bold.org scholarship page.
Award Delivered
The $750 goes straight to George Fox University toward tuition, fees, books, or housing.
"The future belongs to those who can visualize it. By supporting the next generation of educators and designers, we are investing in the creative classroom environments that will inspire tomorrow's leaders."
— The Poster Studio Express Team
See the Official Winner Announcement
The winner selection was administered through Bold.org, and Sophia is featured on the official winners page — including the announcement and her thank-you letter. Take a look for yourself.
Congratulations, Sophia! 🎉 From all of us at Poster Studio Express — we can't wait to see the classrooms you'll transform.
