2022-2023
This Is Where We Are
NSPA - Feature Photo, 4th place
CSPA - Academic Photo, Certificate of Merit
FROM THE STANDS During a football game, Clintay’a Tipps (10) cheers on the team. The band worked to keep a steady tempo. “I like the beat of the band. We keep a beat going so they can stay on track,” Tipps said. Writing by Hannah Shook ​
My freshman year, I was assigned to focus on the band and go to as many events as I could. One feeling that was impossible to miss was how electric the tight-knit group was. For this photo, I got as close as two feet away and caught her doing a stand chant rather than playing her drum. While the band is known for its music, they also create the high-energy atmosphere of the crowd with chants. After she saw the photo, her whole family made T-shirts with the picture on them, and it was the first time I personally saw how my photography affected people.
2023-2024
Are You Paying Attention
Quill & Scroll - Clubs/Organizations, 1st place
SCREAM TEAM After crossing the rope bridge, Celine Chen (12) yells as Will Harven (10) and Mason Begley (10) unhook the rope. According to Chen, the rope bridge isone of her least favorite events. “The camelback was all the way below my waist…It was a really difficult meet overall." Writing by Emma Johnson
This year was one where we finally had a really big JROTC, which in turn meant more people on the raider teams, including girls, which was really exciting to see female representation. The year before, I covered the Raider Meet, but I accidentally got in the way of the obstacle course while taking pictures, and Colonel Weatherstone had to pull me by my backpack so I wouldn't interfere. This meet was my redemption to show that I could be a better fly-on-the-wall.
2024-2025
But Also
Quill & Scroll - Sports Feature, 1st place
BROTHERLY LOVE In the end zone after the game, Jackson Dentel (11) hugs Alex Parker (12). Dentel saw the importance of working to build a strong bond throughout the season. "You’re fighting for four quarters, blood, sweat, and tears next to your brothers,” Dentel said. Writing by Julia Farris
Our football team was on an unfortunate losing streak for my freshman, sophomore, and most of my junior year. This photo was one I got after they lost the homecoming game. I loved the experience of photographing Dentel crying because it forced me to be a delicate reporter. I didn't want to be too pushy and in their faces after a tough loss, and this was such good practice with that skill.
2024-2025
But Also
Quill & Scroll - Theme Photo, 1st place
HOMECOMING HOOTENANNY During the Homecoming game, Samuel Smith (12) climbs over the fence, screaming in the student section. A group of boys painted their bodies with letters to spell out "Foard." Writing by Julia Farris
I had always seen the cool, canon photos of the student section going wild, but I couldn't ever get one that looked how it felt. The Homecoming game energy felt different than any of the other games, and I knew my focus needed to be on the student section until I got "the shot."
2024-2025
But Also
NCSMA - Feature, 1st place
Quill & Scroll - Sports Feature, 3rd place
TEARS OF JOY After the football team won the last game of the season, Reagan London (12) celebrates with the other cheerleaders. London cried after the win. Writing by Julia Farris
The losing football streak brought a lot of emotionally charged moments, but by far one of my favorite photo memories, if not high school, was when the team broke a four-year losing streak by winning the very last game of the season. The game wasn't even supposed to be the last one, but Hurricane Helene messed with the schedule, pushing the game back. After the win, the students rushed onto the field, and everyone was going nuts. I was running around the field, drenched in sweat, filming on my phone while taking photos with a Z6ii. I called my adviser (also my dad) after the game and told him to pay to resubmit the football spread because I knew this game HAD to be the story. This was by far the most fun game ever.
2025
PERSONAL
THUMBS UP As No Kings protestors passed, a woman shows her support. Some of the unhoused community asked protestors what they were there for because they did not know. Writing by Julia Farris
I went to the second large No Kings protest in October with a journalism friend, Max. He was able to get us access behind the stage to interview the speakers at the event and get a different vantage point. This was a super helpful perspective for the story I was working on, but I ended up getting a deeper appreciation for making what you have work. Meaning this: when I was walking with the protestors, I couldn't get special access for an interesting shot. I was forced to think differently to get unique shots. I think you can see that a lot in this photo.
2024-2025
But Also
Quill & Scroll - Portrait, 2nd place
The FFA club at Foard is incredibly active and these girls are a huge part of their success. If you know these girls, you know they are some of the fiercest girls ever. I helped one of my staff members with his profile on the two and their nationally recognized theory on light and chickens. I wanted to incorporate light into the photos because it was such a big piece of the story. I was super nervous to take the pictures because it required a lot of creative composition, and I am used to action shots that kind of lay themselves in my lap. I am really happy with how the pictures portrayed their personality, so it was worth all the chicken poop on my shoes by the end of the shoot.
2022-2023
This Is Where We Are
NCSMA - Theme Photo, 2nd place
LAST DUAL At the Dual State
Championship, Brock Carey (12) tries
to pin his opponent from Union Pines.
It was the seniors' third team state
championship. Writing by Julia Farris
This was one of the scariest times taking photos. I got a pass to take photos at the State Wrestling Championships, and my mom drove me since I was a freshman. Photographers were only allowed to sit in one spot, and by the end of the tournament, my back was killing me. The entire experience was super intimidating, but I felt stronger for having stepped outside my comfort zone. The picture fit our theme so well, and the design that I did with the glitch emphasized everything I loved about the moment.
2025-2026
just a minute, HOLD ON
Awards have not come out
BRIDGING THE GAP Amid the protest, a police officer hugs Caesar, a protester who had been playing music and dancing with his wife. Two police officers parked a patrol car in the street to block traffic so that those on the median could safely walk to the sidewalk. Writing by Julia Farris
After covering the Charlotte No Kings protest in October, I was very excited to get to cover a more local protest in my community of Hickory. The side of the road was full of protestors, and there were even some in the middle of the road. Tensions were high throughout the protest since it was an anti-ICE protest, and when the police showed up, they got even higher. The police asked protestors to get off the median for safety, and after they cleared the road, one of the police officers came over and hugged Caesar, a protestor. I really loved getting to capture the moment in my own town.
Disclaimer
Submission years
Foard Publications didn't submit to every organization every year. The photos are not an exclusive list of the photo awards I have won, but just those that I felt best showed milestones in my journey.​
