SUTHERLAND Shire comic book creator Sarah Boxall won the top prize at the 2014 Sydney TAFE awards.
Ms Boxall, of Barden Ridge, was the recipient of the Sydney Institute Medal on Friday.
The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of 22 TAFE students.
Seven St George and Sutherland Shire students were nominated.
The young artist, who has a passion for creating comics, won the award for her impressive design talents.
Born with natural creativity, Ms Boxall studied graphic design to refine her illustration skills.
A former winner of the St George College Achievement Award, Ms Boxall launched a comic strip blog called melodiesoftheheart.net, which has more than 9500 fans worldwide.
She also designed and illustrated a 25-piece storyboard in support of Japanese tsunami victims last year.