East High School senior earns prestigious Advertising Award for standout photography featured at an RIT art exhibition

Rochester, New York – A moment of recognition at the Rochester Institute of Technology is shining a spotlight on a talented East High School senior whose creative work has earned praise at the collegiate level. Takiyah Reid, a student in the Rochester City School District, has received an Advertising Award for her photograph featured in RIT’s annual “Start Here” art exhibition, an event that celebrates emerging artists from across the Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Reid’s photograph, titled Skybound, was selected by faculty from RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, a distinction that places her work among the top submissions in the show. The “Start Here” exhibition brings together artwork from high school students in a range of media, offering young artists a rare opportunity to present their work in a professional gallery setting and have it evaluated by college-level experts.

RIT’s College of Art and Design hosts the exhibition each year, with faculty members carefully reviewing submissions and choosing standout pieces across multiple disciplines. For Reid, being chosen for an Advertising Award represents not only artistic achievement, but also validation of her ability to compete in a collegiate creative environment while still completing her high school studies.

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Reid earned this recognition through the Virtual Academy of Rochester’s dual-credit digital photography course, a program designed to give students early access to college-level learning. The course is offered in partnership with RIT and allows students to earn college credit while remaining enrolled in high school. Taught by Susan Rudy, the program emphasizes both technical skill and creative development, providing students with professional-grade equipment and advanced editing tools.

Through the course, Reid was able to explore photography beyond the basics, learning how to craft images with purpose and visual impact. The experience also introduced her to the expectations of higher education in the arts, from meeting project deadlines to presenting polished, exhibition-ready work.

“Takiyah is the kind of student who fully commits to her craft,” said Susan Rudy, her VAR teacher. “Earning an Advertising Award from RIT is a significant honor that speaks to her creativity, discipline, and ability to compete at a collegiate level while still in high school. Having her work selected by college faculty reflects both her talent and what is possible when students are given meaningful opportunities, and it is a proud moment for VAR and the District.”

Rudy’s remarks highlight the broader impact of dual-credit programs, which are designed to ease the transition from high school to college. By exposing students to advanced instruction and real-world expectations, programs like VAR help students build confidence while discovering potential career paths earlier than traditional coursework might allow.

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The “Start Here” exhibition is currently on display at RIT’s Bevier Gallery, located inside James Booth Hall. The show will remain open to the public through February 7, offering visitors a chance to view a diverse collection of student artwork from across the region. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, January 23, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the awards ceremony taking place from 6 to 7 p.m.

For Reid, seeing her photograph displayed in a professional gallery space is a milestone that reflects years of effort and creative exploration. It also serves as a reminder of what can happen when students are given access to high-quality instruction, mentorship, and platforms to share their work.

Takiyah Reid’s achievement stands as a point of pride for East High School, the Virtual Academy of Rochester, and the Rochester City School District. Her success underscores how student talent can flourish when paired with opportunity, and how early exposure to collegiate standards can open doors for future academic and creative pursuits.