Lakeland students win NKBA recognition

Two Lakeland College interior design technology students claimed first and second place in this year’s National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) prestigious student design competition.

Tiarra Dyck, Class of 2023, placed first in the kitchen competition while Hannah Tataryn ranked second.

“Winning feels surreal,” says Dyck. “I really put all my effort into the kitchen, and it’s just crazy that I won. I still can’t believe it.”

The assignment required participants to design a kitchen that was aesthetically pleasing and functional in the home of a fictional married couple with two children. First-place winners received a $5,000 USD scholarship while second-place was awarded $2,500 USD as well as a trip to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show Expo in Las Vegas.

This is the 18th year that Lakeland students have been recognized by the NKBA.

“When I woke up, I was shocked to see the email about the NKBA Student Competition,” explains Tataryn. 

“I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I ran outside and read it again and called my family immediately, jumping up and down telling them the news. I am beyond grateful and excited!”

Dyck and Tataryn’s upcoming itinerary includes:

• Complimentary registration and tickets to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2024    Expo in Las Vegas
• Admission to the 2024 Design Awards Ceremony at KBIS
• Airfare and hotel accommodations for KBIS
• Round trip airfare and three nights hotel accommodations.
• Winning design featured in Kitchen and Bath Business (KBB) Magazine

Earlier this summer, Lakeland also received the Excellence in Education Award from the NKBA.

“We are so proud of Tiarra and Hannah,” says Dave King, Lakeland College’s dean of trades. 

“To receive recognition from a prestigious association like the NKBA is a huge honour, recognizing our students’ hard work and dedication. Receiving the Excellence in Education Award just confirms what we already know – our small class sizes, hands-on learning opportunities and amazing instructors give our students the edge they need to succeed. This is also the second fantastic news for Hannah this summer as she previously received the Governor General’s medal for the Vermilion campus in July. Congratulations, Tiarra and Hannah and well done!”