Westview High School Student Wins National Award for Second Consecutive Year
Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced that Alice Yan a 10th grader at Westview High School in San Diego, California, has been selected as the national winner of the 11th annual Student Trophy Design Contest. Yan is taught by Xin Mathers, an instructor at Westview High School. This marks the second consecutive year that a student from Westview High School has won the national Student Trophy Design Contest, following Alex Tang’s win in 2025. The contest is sponsored by ACTE and Stratasys Ltd., a manufacturer of 3D printers and production systems.
Since 1954, ACTE has recognized those who have made exemplary contributions to the field of career and technical education (CTE). The Student Trophy Design Contest is a competition for students to design the 3D trophy for the ACTE Excellence Awards. The winning trophy design will be 3D-printed by Stratasys and presented to the national award winners at the 2026 ACTE Awards Gala on December 2 in New Orleans, Louisiana, in conjunction with ACTE’s CareerTech VISION. Alice’s submission was selected by ACTE’s Board of Directors from entries submitted by students across the country. In addition to having her design used to create this year’s trophies, Alice will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and Westview High School will receive a free one-year lease of a 3D printer, courtesy of Stratasys, Ltd.
Alice is a 10th grader at Westview High School with a passion for STEM, design and innovation. She hopes to pursue a career in industrial design or architecture and has recently begun exploring these fields more seriously. At Westview, she is learning 3D design from Xin Mathers, an industrial designer, and is taking several Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses. She also serves as the treasurer of her school’s 3D printing club.
Alice has already gained valuable experience in design through competitions and educational opportunities. She has participated in two design competitions and earned a silver award in the Scholastic design competition in the industrial design and architecture category. She also participated in the Boston Architectural College’s Summer Academy, where she earned college credit while further developing her interest in architecture and design.
For her winning trophy design, Alice drew inspiration from an astronomical ring, an instrument dating back to the 1600s that consists of three rings representing the celestial equator, declination and meridian. Her design honors the importance of innovation and learning and the progress humanity has made by building upon the knowledge of previous generations.
The many spokes in the base of the trophy represent the collaborative nature of innovation, while the flowing design reflects how society is constantly changing in response to innovation and how new ideas continue to bring us to new heights.
“The Student Trophy Design Contest highlights the creativity, technical skill and innovation cultivated in CTE classrooms nationwide,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Curry. “This year’s winning design is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the second consecutive year a student from the same school has earned this distinction, a remarkable reflection of the talent and dedication fostered within that CTE program. Alice’s accomplishment exemplifies the creativity, talent and commitment that define CTE excellence. We are proud to recognize her achievement and celebrate the opportunities and success that CTE makes possible.”
“Stratasys is so very proud to partner with ACTE for the 11th year to support the Student Trophy Design Contest and provide students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and technical skills,” said Jesse Roitenberg of Stratasys. “Winning this contest is an impressive accomplishment. There are so many impressive entries that this is a difficult contest to judge. This competition also gives students the opportunity to see their design become part of ACTE’s awards program and create a lasting legacy. Beyond the recognition that comes with being selected, the contest highlights the importance of developing skills in additive manufacturing and computer-aided drafting, technologies that continue to play an essential role in today’s design and manufacturing industries. Through opportunities like this, students gain valuable hands-on experience and technical skills that can help prepare them for success in future careers.”
Alice, ACTE and Stratasys are available for interviews upon request.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
