Several ACU interior design majors received awards at the American Society of Interior Designers’ 2012 Texas chapter student symposium in Dallas Oct. 5-6. Students from interior design programs across the state showed up to compete for coveted prizes and scholarships.

This event is monumental for interior design students who are eager to make a name for themselves after graduation. Many professional interior designers and architects attended the ASID conference.

Nicole Dorsey and Chad Moore were awarded first place for their collaborative design of N. Morganie, an upscale retail store design.  They each received a trophy and a $250 dollar cash prize to share between them.

“Being an interior designer out in the field, we will constantly need to be working in teams with other designers, consultants, or clients.” said Dorsey, senior interior design major from Harker Heights. “Chad and I worked with two other students who graduated in May, so it was helpful to experience working with a group where we all had different strengths and abilities.”

Dorsey also won second place for her design of Intrepid Travel Agency and said she was excited for her future career.

“I want to be an interior designer because I love being creative in a way that helps people improve their quality of life,” Dorsey said.

Gracie Ferreyro, junior interior design major from San Antonio won a scholarship for her portfolio. She was rewarded the $1,500 2012 Kathy Parr Hammond Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was given in honor of an interior designer who was heavily involved in ASID. Ferreyro was one of a handful of students who were selected to receive this scholarship.

“It’s my first year to win a scholarship that’s not an ACU scholarship,” said Ferreyro. “It was a lot more rewarding just because you know it wasn’t an ACU competition. You’re actually competing with students all around Texas so it was really exciting.”

Ferreyro’s parents were both missionaries and she was exposed to poverty growing up. She said she wants to be an interior designer so that she can one day help those in need.

Other students who received awards were senior Jillian Dowdy, who received first place for her Luminesce Hotel design in the hospitality division and second place in the residential design division. Senior Morgan Hudson was also rewarded second place for her Merse Boutique Hotel design.