LOW MOOR — Covington High School student Nicole Frye recently won first place on the high school level in the Virginia School Boards Association’s Blue Ridge Regional Art Contest.
The VSBA’s Blue Ridge Region encompasses 17 school divisions in the Alleghany Highlands, the Roanoke Valley, and the New River Valley. Student art from the elementary, middle, and high school levels represented each school division in the competition.
Works by two other AHPS students were part of the regional competition. A colorful, abstract pen and ink work by Jeter-Watson Elementary School seventh grader Isabella McCallister was part of the middle school entries. “Indian Art from Mandalas to Dream Catcher,” by Case Brown, a fifth grader at Sharon Elementary School, was included in entries on the elementary school level.
Nicole is now a rising junior at Alleghany High School. Her winning high school entry, “Salvation,” is a drawing that depicts a face being held in hands in high contrast. The subject appears to be in anguish, and the title of the work asks if the subject is searching for salvation or is overwhelmed by emotion after finding salvation.
“I have been honored to work with Nicole the past two years, she is a very talented young artist. It is so exciting to watch her create, as lifelike images full of emotion appear on the page. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her as she continues to hone her craft and develop her talents,” said Covington High School art teacher Heather Brooks.
Recently, Nicole’s work was also featured at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center’s student art exhibit.
The VSBA entries were judged at an event for school board members from throughout the Blue Ridge Region. The meeting was held in Martinsville. Artworks were on display at the meeting, and the attendees also enjoyed drama and forensics (speaking) presentations from Henry County students.
“The school board is extremely proud of Nicole’s win in the regional contest. She is a very talented young lady and we wish her all the best as her piece goes on to the next stage of the contest. We look forward to her progression as she moves through her high school career,” said Jacob Wright, chair of the Alleghany Highlands School Board.
The VSBA started its Regional Art Contest in 1989 with the goal of promoting the artistic talents of Virginia public school students. For each of the nine VSBA regions, a winner is chosen on the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. The winning art is framed and displayed at VSBA offices in Charlottesville.
At its May 8 meeting, the Alleghany Highlands School Board recognized all of the division’s VSBA Art Contest participants. In addition to Nicole, Isabella, and Case, the board recognized Kaylee Martin, a senior at Alleghany High School; Mackenzie Snook, a seventh grader at Clifton Middle School; Remington Anderson, a fifth grader at Mountain View Elementary School; Aleia Jack, a fourth grader at Callaghan Elementary School; and Jillian Shires, a fifth grader at Jeter-Watson Elementary School. With the exception of Nicole’s work which will be on display in Charlottesville for the year, the student entries will hang in the hallways of the AHPS office in Low Moor.
The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division serves approximately 2,700 students. It was formed on July 1, 2022, through the merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.
The school division’s news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at Public Schools and at www.ahps.k12.va.us.
