Young Artists, Big Futures: Boys & Girls Club Teens Win Scholarships in Cox Mobile Contest

Creativity opens doors at Boys & Girls Clubs. For teen artists David and Peyton, it led to big opportunities through their winning phone case designs in this year’s Cox Mobile Phone Case Design Contest.

The annual phone case design contest is hosted by longtime Boys & Girls Clubs of America partner Cox Communications, celebrating Club teen creativity, connectivity and community. Cox Communications also supports Boys & Girls Clubs in preparing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers through Cox Innovation Labs, expanding high-speed internet access and STEM learning opportunities in Clubs across the country.

David and Peyton celebrated their Cox Mobile Design Contest wins at special events hosted in their hometowns along with their Boys & Girls Clubs. Both received technology grants for their Clubs and a $25,000 scholarship — an investment in their continued education and the futures they’re building.

Fueling STEAM Passions to Solve Problems

David, a junior at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, didn’t always see himself as a leader. With encouragement from his Club, David embraced his voice and learned how to use it to lift others up.

Today, David spends his afterschool time as a tutor and mentor to younger Club members, as well as participating in Club STEM and art activities. What matters most to him are the moments when he can help someone else believe in themselves.

“The Club taught me that leadership is not about being the loudest person in the room,” David says. “It’s about being reliable and showing up for others. When I first joined, I was very quiet and unsure of myself. Over time, I became someone younger members can trust.”

Eager to turn his interests into impact, David co-founded Drawn to Change, a nonprofit that uses art to explore issues like climate change, social justice and the effects of artificial intelligence on teens.

“Creativity can help create change,” he says. “Art lets us talk about serious topics in a way that feels more personal and meaningful.”

That blend of creativity, science and social impact inspired David’s Grand Prize winning phone case design for the Cox Mobile Design Contest, Red Horizon.

“I worked on climate related research in school, which sparked my interest in green energy,” he explains. “My design shows my vision of a future city where technology, nature and people work together in a better way.”

David’s post-secondary scholarship will support his journey towards a career that uses creativity, engineering and environmental technology to solve real-world challenges. David also credits his Club for boosting his confidence to advocate for himself and others, including sharing his story with state legislators at Boys & Girls Clubs’ Virginia Advocacy Day.

“When I first joined the Club, I was at a low point in my life,” David says. “My soccer journey was on pause, and I was starting a new chapter. The Club helped me rebuild my confidence. I wanted legislators to understand that Boys & Girls Clubs offer more than activities; they offer support, encouragement and a place to grow.”

Representing Native Voices Through Art

For Peyton, a junior at the Boys & Girls Club of Tahlequah in Oklahoma, the Club has been a place where creativity and culture come together. In elementary and middle school, she often stayed after school at the Club while her grandparents were at work, participating in art programs and learning traditional Cherokee songs.

“I feel like Native communities are most respected when our voices are heard and appreciated,” Peyton says. “My Club helped me grow more confident in raising my voice and taking on leadership roles, both there and at school.”

When the director of Peyton’s Boys & Girls Club told her about the Cox Mobile Design Contest, she saw an opportunity to think bigger.

“The contest gave me the chance to do something larger than anything I’d done in my community. One of my biggest dreams is to inspire young Native people, and this was a way to show that creativity can be a powerful tool for expressing our voices.”
Peyton’s design won Fan Favorite in the Cox Mobile Design Contest, earning her a scholarship to support her career ambitions. Peyton’s design blends traditional Cherokee imagery with modern technology, symbolizing growth and adaptation.

“I wanted to show how Cherokees can grow and adapt to technology,” Peyton said. “The woman in the artwork has traditional braids and dress but is also half robotic. With this scholarship, I’m able to continue my education to become an art teacher, so I can help new generations express their creativity and emotions,” Peyton shared.

David’s and Peyton’s Boys & Girls Clubs each received technology grants from Cox Communications, strengthening creative and technical skill building opportunities for youth in their communities. By developing these skills early, Clubs help prepare young people for in-demand creative and STEM careers. That impact is clear: according to recent Boys & Girls Clubs of America surveys, 9 in 10 Club teens feel ready to get a job, and Club alumni are 60% more likely to be working full time than other adults.

Learn more about how Boys & Girls Clubs support youth from first grade through graduation and find a Club near you.