Madeline Jonker, a recent graduate of Martin Public Schools (Class of 2025) and a standout student from the Allegan Tech Center's Graphic Art & Design program, has been named the winner of a highly competitive statewide logo design contest. Jonker's winning submission was chosen to represent the Michigan Career Education Planning District (CEPD) Council, a statewide group consisting of fifty-three Career & Technical Education (CTE) administrators from all counties throughout the state.
The competition provided a unique opportunity for aspiring young designers to put their skills to the test and make a lasting impact on a statewide organization. Winning the contest is a significant honor that saw Madeline’s design selected from over 100 entries submitted by Career and Technical Education (CTE) students across Michigan. The CEPD Council sought a fresh, modern logo, and Jonker's design clearly captivated the judges.
Madeline's journey to this impressive achievement began at the Allegan Tech Center, where she completed two years in the Graphic Art & Design program. During her first year, she meticulously built a strong foundation in industry-standard Adobe software, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. She also honed her understanding of critical design principles such as typography, the Principles of Design, the Elements of Art, branding, and, of course, logo creation.
Her dedication and talent quickly became apparent, earning her an invitation to return for a second year as part of the Work-Based Learning program. What truly sets Madeline apart is her unique artistic perspective, cultivated through a background in fine art; she has enjoyed painting since the eighth grade. This artistic sensibility undoubtedly contributed to the creativity and originality of her winning logo.
Beyond her academic accomplishments, Madeline has already established herself as a successful freelance artist. She has illustrated two published books for author Randy Spohn and is currently engrossed in illustrating a third. While she does not plan to attend college at this time, Madeline intends to continue her thriving freelance work while also embarking on an entrepreneurial venture to start her own daycare business.
Madeline Jonker's achievement in this statewide competition is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the exceptional training she received through Michigan's CTE programs. Her winning logo will now serve as the visual identity for the Michigan CEPD Council, a lasting mark of her creativity and skill.
Submitted By: Robert C. Smith, Ed.S.
Director of Career & Technical Education
Van Buren Intermediate School District