SCAG Awards ‘2026 Student Showcase’ Prizes to Three Southern California Students

2026 Student Showcase winners were announced on May 8 at SCAG's 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert. SCAG Regional Council President Ray Marquez presented awards to Ethan Maldonado from University of California, Irvine in the Audience Award category, as well as Evelyn Zhong from University of Southern California and Kevin Sohn from University of Southern California in the Best in Show category. 

Every year, SCAG invites students at colleges and universities around the SCAG region to create posters and ArcGIS StoryMaps for the “Student Showcase,” which challenges students to tell a story, provide insight, showcase plans and projects, engage stakeholders, and illustrate the possibilities of open data at the regional level. SCAG staff selected eight projects from a large group of submissions for presentation at the 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly. 

A jury of planning professionals and elected officials considered each submission for the Best in Show Award. Regional Conference and General Assembly attendees also voted on their favorite submissions for the Audience Award. 

Congratulations to all 2026 Student Showcase winners and finalists for your hard work and achievements.