MESA, Ariz. – April 13, 2026 – Twenty-five Mesa Community College (MCC) students earned top honors at the 23rd Annual Artists of Promise celebration on March 6, 2026 at Phoenix College. This annual gala and exhibition honors the winners of Maricopa Community Colleges' student competitions in dance, fashion and costume design, film, animation & media arts, instrumental music, theatre and visual arts.  

Mesa Community College winners include:

Creative Writing

Poetry
First place: Hawke West, “Ode to License Plates”
Second place: Andie Vidales, “Your Small Town is Holding You Back”
Third place: Nicole Powell, “Warming the Soul”

Personal Essay
Second place: Aubree Landau, “The Museum of Worthless Objects”

Fashion

Costume Design
First Place: Kallie Johnston
Third Place: Melissa Gardner
Honorable Mention: Andrea Prieto

Fashion Design
Second Place: Yukiko Devine

Sustainable Design
Second Place: Heather Maahs
Third Place: Andrea Prieto

Music 

Acoustic/Classical Music
First Place: Marco David Ramirez
Third Place: Taylor Morgan

Instrumental Solo
First Place: Isaac Facio

Classical Treble
Third Place: Daphne Mizquez

Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass
Second Place: Camren Martinez

Musical Theatre Treble
First Place: Daphne Mizquez
Third Place: Lauren Russell

Musical Theatre Tenor, Baritone, Bass
First Place: Camren Martinez
Third Place: Alonzo Regalado

Theatre 

Design
First place: Sarah Salmi, scenic design
Second place: Gabrielle Monroe, makeup design
Third place: Elijah Cox, sound design  for “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”

Theatre Acting/Performance
First place: Makenna Cunningham
Second place: Selena Costantini
Third place: Jaiden Weid

Weid was also honored with the Albert and Lola Chatinsky Scholarship, in recognition of outstanding artistic promise and dedication to the performing arts.

Visual Arts

2D 
First Place: Isaac Tyson, “He’s Laughing, She’s Loading”
Best of Show: Elise Hill

3D
Second Place: Jessica Lacy, “Empty Swing”

For additional information about MCC’s arts programs and a schedule of upcoming performances, visit mesacc.edu/arts.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

The Artists of Promise (AOP) program is a Maricopa Community Colleges sponsored  districtwide competition to encourage and recognize student achievement in the following categories. The Artists of Promise competition has been a cornerstone of the Maricopa Community College District’s commitment to fostering creative expression for over two decades. It provides emerging student artists with a platform to gain recognition, exhibit their work, and connect with a broader artistic community.For more Information, visit maricopa.edu/events/aop

Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.