Three Western Carolina University interior design students recently took top honors at the annual National Kitchen and Bathroom Association’s Carolinas Chapter student design competition in Flat Rock.

Brittney Davis of Hoschton, Ga., Crystal Hall of Lawsonville, and Mark McConnell of East Windsor, Conn., submitted their entries to a jury of three certified kitchen and bath designers from the Western Carolina region, who evaluated projects on drafting and computer skills, elements and principles of design, following NKBA guidelines where applicable and client preferences.

The NKBA developed competition requirements around a client profile and house plan, which was based on an actual project created by a professional designer and included a master bathroom and a kitchen. Entrants provided four drawing areas, presentation boards and statements that detailed their solutions to the design’s problems.

“This annual event provides students with scholarship money donated from the kitchen and bath industry,” said Marc Yops, WCU associate professor of interior design. “Students receive $1,000, $500 and $250 in scholarship money, a certificate and recognition at a regional meeting. It is a great opportunity for networking, and I am always pleased with the results. They are a great bunch of design students.”

First place and a $1,000 scholarship went to Hall, a senior who graduated from North Stokes High School in 2004. Her parents are Billy and Cathy Stokes.

Second place and a $500 scholarship went to McConnell, a senior who graduated from Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla., in 1989. His parents are Jerry and Carol M. Sands.

Third place and a $250 scholarship went to Davis, a senior who graduated from Jefferson High School in 2005. Her parents are Ben and Carol Davis.

“The kitchen and bath design program at Western is one of the best programs around,” said Hall. “My experience in Western’s interior design program has definitely prepared me for a career in interior design. This program has rewarded me in many ways, not just by winning the competition, but also by having the opportunity to travel to London, to further my education and experience in design and having classes that are endorsed and accredited by top interior design groups.”

For more information about Western’s interior design program, contact Marc Yops at (828) 227-2155 or yops@wcu.edu.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, May 7, 2008