Several students at Oxford High School were recently awarded in statewide and national competitions for their artwork and photography.

Senior Olivia Wymore won first place at the University of Southern Mississippi High School Drawing Competition. The competition only permits juniors to enter drawings across the state. Wymore was awarded $300 for her charcoal drawing, “Neely,” a portrait of one of her best friends.

Moments before interviewing Wymore, she had just learned of her first place win

“It feels amazing, I still can’t believe it,” the senior art student said. “We had known that one of us had gotten an honorable mention (Charli Kendricks) which is still amazing and one of us placed.”

Wymore added that her winning drawing was done more as a way to practice her skills rather than with a specific concept in mind.

In the National Photographers Forum Competition, four OHS students were honored for their work: recent graduates Bakhti Patel and Carina Easson, senior Taylor Ross and junior Mary Gough. In the national competition, their photos were featured in a magazine featuring “The Best College and High School” photographers.

Ross’ photo consisted of a doll with a half broken face and a new face replacing it.

“It was to represent how when we grow older, our childhood is almost broken completely and how innocence is destroyed,” Ross said.

The Oxford School District Foundation donated grants to the OHS photography program, which OHS art teacher Ebony Nicole Johnson says was integral for the students to succeed.

“If it were not for the commitment to advance our students educational experiences by the Oxford School Foundation and the community support for the students as they advance in the field of fine art, the students would not have the opportunity to continue to thrive, mature and grow so for that we are thankful,” Johnson said.