The Woodlands HS Photography Earns Rising Star Award

CONROE, TEXAS (May 18, 2023) – The Woodlands High School Photography students, under the guidance of Julie Pelosi, were named the Association of Texas Photography Instruction 2022-23 Rising Star Program.

TWHS students took first place in architecture and nature, second in portrait, and third in sports.

Students whose work was included are: Aiden Fritsche, Eesha Reddy, Gabrielle Nix, Annabelle Rohrbough, Ema Lamyuen, Holly Mullins, Gio Walden, Albert Kaci, Mauro Barragan, Connor Koenig, Wenny Stein, Arturo Rios, Katie Pepper, Rachael Howse-Wygand, Alex Maclaughlin, Taryn Farnsworth, Jude Gillespie, Micah Archibald, Nico Nunez, Anneliese Pridgen, MJ Monroe, Ben Davis, and Mason Brady.

Schools may enter 10-image portfolios in up to four categories. The Rising Star Award is presented to the school with the highest number of winning portfolios.

“This is our third year entering the Rising Star contest,” Pelosi said. “In 2021, we placed in two individual categories, but not overall. Last year, we took a big jump forward and placed second overall. This year, the stars aligned for us, and we were able to put together some winning portfolios. I’m so proud of this group of students.

“My advanced photo kids especially are a special group, they were the ones who helped us place second last year and their talent and leadership has increased exponentially over the last year. They really have been all-in from the beginning of the year. We’ve won 55 total awards as a program this year, and that’s a testament to all their hard work. I’m so happy they were the ones to help establish us as a dominant program in the state. I can’t wait to see where we go from here!”

The Association of Texas Photography Instructors provides information and resources to teachers and students that work with photography, whether in Art, Journalism, Career and Technology, or Vocational curriculum areas.

Below are samples of their winning work.