Starkville High School sophomore, Nora-Ann Strickland earned 5th place in the "Non-manipulated Photography - Human" category of the 2025 Art Collectors Choice Awards, an international competition presented by American Art Awards. Strickland's submitted photography tied with an entry from professional photographer David Vance.
The American Art Awards program honors up-and-coming artists in more than 50 categories through American and worldwide competitions each year designed to introduce new talent to the best museums and collectors in the world. The SHS 10th grader's work is featured among about 300 international artists who were awarded 1st through 6th place in each category.
Strickland's photograph, "Sisters in Reflection" depicts the artist's two sisters posed looking at the camera as well as reflected in a bathroom mirror. As part of her work in SHS Photography class, Strickland invited her sisters for a photo session at the White House Studio on campus. Andrew Lark, SHS's Fine Arts and Photography instructor says the time and attention to detail spent in capturing the award-winning image is part of the drive and commitment he sees in Nora-Ann's work every day.
"I believe the photograph Nora-Ann named 'Sisters in Reflection' is one of the most powerful photos that has been created by one of our photography students at SHS," Lark said. "She came in one morning and took many photos to capture the true essence of her sisters."
"Regardless of the photo challenge I've placed before Nora-Ann," Lark continued, "she will not quit. Her level of perseverance is exceptional."
This perseverance is one of the character traits Lark hopes to instill in students through the Fine Arts program as he challenges them to respond well to constructive criticism designed to make their work better. He calls Strickland a "lifelong learner" who has used the artistic criticism his class provides to help her not only learn, but grow her skills and techniques.
Through the Photography class, Yellow Jacket students learn the use of photographic equipment that professional photographers utilize as well as software such as Adobe Photoshop which helps with editing. Learning these real-world tools helps students prepare to continue their craft after high school and also positions them to be able to do well in competitions like the one Nora-Ann entered.
"When our students choose to compete in an international visual arts contest like the American Art Awards, it allows them to be measured against the world's best," Lark shared.
It's these types of opportunities he feels pushes students to be better and to excel in their chosen media. Taking that chance can also catch the eye of colleges and universities.
"To compete against the world's most passionate photographers and artists can be very challenging, but also overwhelmingly rewarding for our student artists," he said. "When students put an international award like this on their resumes, college representatives see them as exceptional."
In his role as teacher, Lark seeks to inspire students to be and do their best, to pursue their passion and to provide the tools necessary to achieve their goals. As part of that role, he encourages them to stretch out of their comfort zones and try new things –– whether that's new media or entering new competitions. The results with students are evident. Each year, the program boasts statewide, national and international recognition for students and their work, and many credit his classes as among the most rewarding of high school -- classes where they feel a teacher has helped them discover their own potential.
"Nora-Ann has shown through many projects that she is passionate about all forms of learning," Lark said. And, that's the type of learner that inspires him the most as a teacher.
"Here at SHS, my goal is to teach our students to be the very best at what they are driven by their own passion to become," Lark said. "Nora-Ann has demonstrated a desire not only to learn these skills, but to master them."