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When first-year ������Ƶ student Lujain Jallab submitted a painting for the annual President’s Holiday Card Contest, she never expected it would be selected to represent the College to thousands of alumni, donors, and friends nationwide. Her whimsical design featuring a festive koala wrapped lovingly around The Columns captured the spirit of the season, the pride of campus life, and her own growing artistic identity.

Jallab, a biology and studio art major, was surprised and thrilled when she learned that her piece had been selected as the 2025 winning holiday card artwork.

“I saw the contest guidelines, and I knew I wanted to incorporate one of the College’s most recognizable features,” she said. “I started sketching The Columns and thought, how can I add a koala? Then I imagined it hugging the column with a Christmas hat, and the whole idea came together.”

The creativity shown in her card reflects Jallab herself. Born and raised in Abdullah Mubarak, Kuwait, she moved to South Carolina in 2020 with her father, sister, aunt, and cousin. Her uncle recently joined the family, and while her mother still lives in Kuwait, she plans to join the family in South Carolina soon. While adjusting to a new country, school, and community, Jallab has already made her mark at ������Ƶ.

A guard on the ������Ƶ Koalas basketball team, she only picked up the sport as an eighth grader, but her drive has been unwavering. Her long-term goal is to attend veterinary school. She chose ������Ƶ because staying close to home made sense after taking a gap year to work and prepare for college, and because she wanted to continue playing the sport she loves.

Her art, though, has also opened doors she never imagined.

This fall, Jallab contributed to a major public art installation at the newly revitalized Finlay Park in downtown Columbia. The City’s redesign introduced strolling gardens and a permanent collection of sculptures, including ten painted turtle statues created by local artists. Jallab was one of the artists selected.

During her gap year, she worked multiple jobs while selling her artwork. A former teacher connected her with the opportunity to submit a design for the Finlay Park turtles, and she was chosen alongside nine others.

“I picked up the turtle, took it home, and painted it with a basketball theme,” she explained. “All the players represented on the shell are players from South Carolina.”

Her turtle now has a home in one of the city’s most iconic green spaces and is part of Columbia’s growing celebration of public art.

At ������Ƶ, Jallab is soaking up every moment of close-knit learning and creative exploration.

“My favorite part is the classes and getting to know the teachers. The College feels small in a good way,” she said.

Her winning holiday card design has been printed, and she was recognized by President and First Lady Dozier at the President’s House and awarded a gift card as a part of the annual Holiday Card contest.  

From court to canvas, Jallab’s talent shines. Her story highlights what happens when a student finds a place where artistic expression and personal ambition can grow together.

This winter, as thousands of cards arrive in mailboxes across the country, ������Ƶ will proudly share her artistry and her Koala spirit with the world.