SAN DIEGO—Alice Yan, a 10 grade student at Westview High, has been selected as the national winner of the 11th annual Student Trophy Design Contest, sponsored by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Stratasys Ltd., a manufacturer of 3D printers and production systems.
This is the second consecutive year a Westview High student has won the competition, following Alex Tang’s 2025 win. The Student Trophy Design Contest is a competition for students to design the 3D trophy that will be presented to winners of the ACTE Excellence Awards.
Yan, who is mentored by instructor Xin Mathers, drew inspiration for her winning trophy design from an astronomical ring, an instrument made up of three rings representing the celestial equator, declination, and meridian. This influence can be seen in her design as it honors the development of knowledge over hundreds of generations of research and discovery. The multiple spokes in the trophy's design represent the collaborative nature of innovation and how society adapts to new ideas and strives to continually progress.
The design was selected by ACTE’s Board of Directors from entries created by students from around the country.
As this year’s winner, Yan will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Her design will also be 3D-printed by Stratasys and presented to national award winners at the 2026 ACTE Awards Gala on December 2 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Westview High will also receive a free one-year lease of a 3D printer, courtesy of Stratasys.
Yan hopes to pursue a career in industrial design or architecture. She is currently learning 3D design and involved in several Project Lead The Way courses. She is also treasurer of Westview’s 3D printing club. She has participated in two design competitions and earned the silver award in the Scholastic design competition in the industrial design and architecture category.
Yan has also participated in the Boston Architectural College’s Summer Academy, earning college credit toward her future interests.
"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."