Kitchener - Conestoga Graphic Design Sweep Design Awards Second year students in Conestoga’s Graphic Design program took first, second, and third places in a national design competition sponsored by the Canadian Millennium Excellence Award.

As Andrew Woodall, Director of the Millennium Excellence Award Program, asked when making the presentation, "What's in the water at Conestoga?" The presentations were made at the Design Exchange in downtown Toronto.

Darlene Khounphachangsi, the competition winner, took home a certificate and a $3,000 prize; Brent Cherry was second and Greg Mühlböck third. Total prize winnings are $6,000. Tom Bishop, second year graphic design professor, was given a certificate of appreciation.

The Millennium Scholarship Foundation was founded 10 years ago to provide bursaries to deserving secondary and post-secondary students. In this, its final year, the Foundation worked with the Design Exchange to develop a competition for the design of its certificate, folder and envelope. Darlene's winning entry featured colourful illustrative interpretations of Canadian emblems such as maple leaves and Canada geese.

Conestoga’s highly competitive Graphic Design program is renowned across Canada and around the world having won several national and international awards and competitions. Conestoga has recently added a Design and Communications Fundamentals program which allows students to build impressive portfolios and gain the basic design skills. This is an excellent stepping stone into the Graphic design three-year diploma.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.millenniumscholarhips.ca