SAY Sí is thrilled to announce that recent high school graduate and SAY Sí alum, Jonathan Rodriguez, has been awarded the Adobe Design Circle Scholarship, a globally competitive design scholarship. To help reach untapped youth communities and foster diversity in the design industry, Adobe’s Design Circle Scholarship awards 10 annual college scholarships – up to $25,000 per year, for each year of the recipient’s undergraduate education (up to four years or $100,000). Rodriguez’ application was selected as one of 10 students from around the globe and will be applied toward his studies in UX Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) this fall, which intersects with his web design background and passion for creativity, technology and leadership. (SAY Sí, 2021)

As an industry underrepresented by Latinos, Rodriguez believes he will make a difference in driving UX Design innovation of products, services and systems inclusive of his culture, which will help to be made possible by this generous scholarship.

“This award means I will be able to do what I love doing, which is being a creative professional. I was so happy when I found out that I called my mom right away and messaged my two SAY Sí Instructors, Stevan and Ned. I will be studying UX Design at SCAD, and with the Adobe Design Circle Scholarship Program, I will have the opportunity to job shadow and be mentored by creatives at Google, Adobe and many other companies. This is a life-changing award and sets a new standard and path forward.”

scholarship recipient and SAY Sí alum, Jonathan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is one of SAY Sí’s studio liaisons, acting as an ambassador for the nonprofit arts organization. SAY Sí’s mission is to support and amplify the voices of young artists, regardless of their socioeconomic status by providing hands-on training in digital and tech-based work, visual arts and new media. Rodriguez credits SAY Sí for encouraging and helping him to achieve his goals and hopes his success story will inspire others to do the same.

Founded in 1994, SAY Sí is a national award-winning, art-based nonprofit youth development program located in San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the organization is to provide San Antonio area students in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to develop artistic and social skills in preparation for higher educational advancement and career building. SAY Sí programs serve over 200 students from all of San Antonio’s school districts – in addition to serving 4,000 youth in community programs. SAY Sí’s unique approach to education has placed the organization on the national stage, with recognition as one of the top out-of-school-time organizations in the country by The Wallace Foundation, as well as serving as one of seven international youth arts organizations chosen to receive an inaugural Creative Catalyst Award by Adobe Project 1324 in 2016.