For North Garland High School junior Rowan Lien, a simple scholarship search turned into a life-changing win, showcasing his creativity on a national stage. Scrolling through opportunities during the fall semester of his sophomore year, Rowan discovered the Creative Greeting Card Scholarship and decided to give it a try. Although art is a hobby, Rowan has always enjoyed crafting imaginative designs in his spare time. Drawing upon his passion, Rowan created a winning birthday card that earned top honors.
“I thought about doing a Christmas card at first,” Rowan shared, “but not everyone celebrates Christmas. Birthdays, though—that’s something everyone has.”
With this idea in mind, he designed a simple yet colorful card featuring floating balloons spelling “Happy Birthday.” The eye-catching design celebrated the joy and inclusivity of birthdays, helping his card stand out in a fresh, fun way.
Judges praised his design’s originality, bold colors, and universal appeal. They noted its alignment with key criteria such as aesthetic quality, creativity, execution, and consumer appeal within The Gallery Collection greeting card line.
Despite a busy schedule filled with schoolwork and extracurriculars, Rowan completed his design just an hour before the deadline. What started as a last-minute project quickly became a major achievement, earning Rowan national recognition.
The Zoom interview where he learned about his win became a moment Rowan will never forget. “I was so nervous, thinking I might mess it up,” Rowan recalled. “But then they told me I won, and after the call ended, I ran to my mom—I was just so happy.”
His excitement was matched only by his family’s pride as they celebrated his creative accomplishment together.
Rowan’s success was not only a personal achievement but also a significant financial boost, with the $10,000 prize helping him look ahead to his future in law. Although he is focused on studying law after graduation, this unexpected success adds a memorable milestone to his academic journey.
“I’m pretty sure my parents will buy a ton of these cards to send out to everyone they know!” he laughed.
Rowan’s story highlights the power of taking a chance. His unique national accolade showcases the creativity fostered at Garland ISD and inspires others to pursue opportunities. As he finishes high school, his award-winning birthday card will bring joy to families nationwide—proof that a simple idea can lead to unmatched success.
Information and photo provided by Garland ISD.