CHAPEL HILL—Providence Grove High School in Randolph County has won a statewide contest conducted by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for visual arts departments.

     The contest was designed for visual arts departments to create a four foot by eight foot mural that depicts many of the unique opportunities available in the state of North Carolina, from beaches to mountains to barbecue to sports and much more.  The mural will be highlighted at the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) winter meeting, scheduled to be held in Asheville, N.C., in January, with the NCHSAA as the host association. Executive directors and commissioners from state athletic and activity associations from across the national will be in attendance.

    The Providence Grove art department will receive one thousand dollars to help cover the cost of supplies and materials as well as including a stipend for the department.

    Stephanie Soper, the art teacher at Providence Grove, coordinated the entry from her school. She noted that a number of students in her first block class, including proficient, advanced and AP students, had combined to work on the project, in addition to students in the Providence Grove Art Club.