Dean of Academics 
Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus 

Dale Clifford received a BFA from Miami University and an MFA from Clemson University. Clifford has been teaching in higher education since 1989. Clifford joined the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002 and is currently the dean of academics at SCAD’s Atlanta campus.

Executive Director of Admission 
Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus

Laura Strikwerda began her career in education more than 20 years ago. Since then, she has been a transfer adviser, a middle and high school teacher, and admission representative, the director of recruitment, and the director of admission enrollment. Strikwerda is now the executive director of admission for SCAD’s Atlanta campus. 

Dean of the Schools of Fine Arts and Visual Communication 
Savannah College of Art and Design

Honor Bowman Hall is an artist living and working in Savannah, Georgia. Hall serves as dean of the Schools of Fine Arts and Visual Communication at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she graduated with an MFA in painting in 2014. Her paintings appear in collections across the United States and abroad. 

Professor
Co-founder Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium
Montana State University

Jeffrey Conger is a professor of graphic design and co-founder of the Dyslexia & Innovation symposium at Montana State University in Bozeman. As a lifelong dyslexic and outspoken advocate, Jeffrey has developed innovative pedagogy through experimental pilot courses for neurodivergent individuals with learning differences. 

Through his client-based scholarly creative, Jeffrey actively works as a professional designer, photographer, and author who specializes in automotive culture. Known for his candid storytelling and journalistic style, his content has been published regionally, nationally, and internationally through the mass-media giants Motor Trend Group, TEN: The Enthusiast Network, Source Interlink, and Egmont Publishing.

In addition, Jeffrey is the recipient of several prestigious awards Presidential Leadership Faculty Fellowship, the Cox Family Award for Creative Scholarship and Teaching, the Dean’s Excellence Award for Integration, and the Founder’s Day Award for Teaching Excellence. He is an invited speaker to the national AIGA design conference, presenter at AIGA educators conference, along with being an American Advertising Federation gold and silver Addy award winner.

Education Specialist
Wacom

Michele Dick is the Business Development Manager for Education at Wacom. Her work encompasses providing profressional development for educators across the U.S., in the use of Wacom’s solutions for art, media arts, CTE, and core curriculum teaching and learning. Prior to joining the Wacom Education team, Michele spent nearly 21 years as an educator with Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, Washington, where she served as an elementary educator, a technology specialist, and digital learning coordinator. Michele earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching from Washington State University in Vancouver. 

Education Marketing Manager, Wacom 

Michele Dick is an educator first and foremost, and she brings her unique skills and experiences as classroom teacher, technology specialist, and digital learning coordinator with Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, WA, to her role at Wacom. A sought-after conference speaker, professional learning expert, and innovator in integrating digital ink technologies into creative and core curriculum instruction, Michele provides essential support, expertise, and creativity into her role helping educators tap the power of digital pen and display technologies in their teaching practices.   

Graphic Design Instructor, Anoka Ramsey Community College, Minneapolis College of Art and Design 

Currently based in the Twin Cities, Andi Fink (she/they) is an Oregon-born, Missouri-bred artist, designer, and educator. When she’s not running her gift and stationery business A Fink & Ink, she can be found teaching graphic design, photography, or illustration at various institutions, including Anoka Ramsey Community College and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. If she’s not teaching, lettering, or shooting photographs, you can find her watching some trash TV (or a new documentary), reading a book, or out on a long walk. Andi received her MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She earned her bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography from the University of Missouri.  

Ella Grail is currently a junior at Ames High School, located near Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She is a driven artist with an extensive contest and exhibit history. She has been an active and engaged participant in NAHS and NJAHS starting in 2021. During those years, she has done substantial service, including The Memory Project, Hospice Project, and volunteering at local art events. Throughout her time in NAHS, she has risen to a leadership position for her school’s chapter. Highlights for Ella have included being the state winner for Doodle for Google, attending the first National Art Honor Society Conference, and becoming a two-time finalist for the Unsung Heroes project. 

Ella Grail is currently a junior at Ames High School, located near Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She is a driven artist with an extensive contest and exhibit history. She has been an active and engaged participant in NAHS and NJAHS starting in 2021. During those years, she has done substantial service, including The Memory Project, Hospice Project, and volunteering at local art events. Throughout her time in NAHS, she has risen to a leadership position for her school’s chapter. Highlights for Ella have included being the state winner for Doodle for Google, attending the first National Art Honor Society Conference, and becoming a two-time finalist for the Unsung Heroes project. 

Minneapolis-based artist Peyton Scott Russell has a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and for more than 3 decades he has been a professional artist and arts instructor. The 1984 film, Style Wars, introduced Peyton to graffiti art and the world of hip-hop. This had a profound effect on him and changed the course of his artistic endeavors. 
 
In the 1990s Peyton introduced graffiti art as a fine art in the Twin Cities through gallery exhibitions and teaching in after-school programs. His current organization, SPRAYFiNGER, is dedicated to teaching, studying, and practicing graffiti and the Art of Creative Lettering. His mission, in addition to his personal artistic practice, is to increase awareness of graffiti as a teachable fine art and deepen the understanding of the medium. Peyton has engaged with multiple generations of individuals throughout the United States as well as in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Tel Aviv, Israel. 

Ella Grail is currently a junior at Ames High School, located near Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She is a driven artist with an extensive contest and exhibit history. She has been an active and engaged participant in NAHS and NJAHS starting in 2021. During those years, she has done substantial service, including The Memory Project, Hospice Project, and volunteering at local art events. Throughout her time in NAHS, she has risen to a leadership position for her school’s chapter. Highlights for Ella have included being the state winner for Doodle for Google, attending the first National Art Honor Society Conference, and becoming a two-time finalist for the Unsung Heroes project. 

Marlena Myles, a self-taught Spirit Lake Dakota artist in St. Paul, Minnesota, brings Indigenous history, language, and traditions into modern contexts through children’s books, augmented reality, murals, and more. Her notable works include augmented reality public art installations such as the Dakota Spirit Walk, Sacred Hoop Walk, and Wodakota Walk. She has exhibited at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and other prestigious galleries, created a Google Doodle, and launched Wíyouŋkihipi Productions to promote Dakota culture. In 2023, she won the Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship and the Joyce Award, and created her first documentary, Realms of Resilience. 

Chidera Oforkansi is currently a senior at George Bush High School. With a strong passion for the visual arts, she strives to create pieces that depict the daily struggles of people and the faults of society. This strong passion for art led her to join NAHS during her freshman year and she has stuck with the program ever since, evolving not only as an artist, but also as a person. Being in NAHS has transformed the way Chidera approaches leading others by pushing herself to become a compassionate and patient leader. Chidera hopes to someday become an artist who tackles challenging topics in unconventional ways while spreading her love of the visual arts to the rest of the world. 

I am Tanvi Kulshreshtha, a sophomore at BASIS Phoenix. Art has been a cornerstone in my life for nearly a decade as a steady outlet I have turned to: I have moved across three countries and multiple schools. My favorite art form is painting with acrylic paints because it allows for vibrant layering and depth. I especially enjoy painting people, as it offers the chance to capture the essence and character of an entire person on canvas. Through expression, posture, and even light and shadow, I can convey the individuality and emotions of my subjects in a way that feels both personal and profound. My appreciation for the arts is rooted in a desire to use it as a medium to inspire others, make a positive difference, and uplift voices. I strive to balance artistic skills and innovation with responsibility and compassion. My repeated leadership and artistic journey have honed me into a trusted, hardworking, and pioneering leader. 

Evan is grateful to further the arts in any way that he can. Other honors include: Jury-Selected Artist “Art on the Trail” 2023; Jury-Selected Artist Mass Cultural Council Hopkinton Diversity Mural 2024; Mass Cultural Council Grant Recipient to create first-ever Hopkinton Art Walk; Samsung American Legion Scholarship Recipient; Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2021, National Reflections Literary Award Winner; Knights of Columbus Leadership Award First Place MA; Eversource Environmental Energy Conservation First Place State Winner. Extracurricular activities: Hopkinton High School NHS and NAHS; varsity track and field; varsity football; athletic office liaison to student council; weightlifting club; published artist in Marginal Literary Magazine. Community service: Evan serves as the official Broadway blogger for the Hanover Theater, MA’s second largest theater; The Memory Project for Africa; together with his brother, Evan created a rock garden at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in honor of his mom. Evan is a global ambassador to Ukraine with Soles4Souls, where he has personally collected, cleaned, and shipped over 3,000 pairs of gently used shoes since the outbreak of the war with Russia. He is also a three-time championship head coach for recreational youth basketball. Evan is an active fund-raiser for the Jimmy Fund, having completed the walk twice in honor of his friend Chris. Work experience: Evan created his own company, Evan-Uber, which serves as a shuttle service for the children of working parents. Evan was a legislative research intern for his local state representative this summer. Previously he served as a senior counselor at the Metrowest YMCA, where he received an award for his service. 

Sabrea Jordan (She/Her) is a 12th grader from Jackson, MS, where she is a visual arts student at Ida B. Wells APAC, and she also attends the advanced academic program at Murrah High School. She has been a member of NJAHS (2019–2021) and NAHS (2021–present), where she has served as NJAHS President and NAHS Secretary, Vice President, and President. 

Sabrea credits her participation in NAHS to leading her to her chosen future career in art education. Her passion and drive have led to her teaching art at the Mississippi Museum of Art, as well as receiving the 2024 NAHS Secondary Rising Star Award in Minneapolis. As a creative artist, Sabrea has received numerous art awards and opportunities to have her work displayed. These include being juried into the NAHS Juried Student Showcase in 2022, receiving a national Scholastic Art & Writing Silver Medal in 2024, and 14 regional Scholastic Keys. Additionally, her artwork has been published in multiple literary magazines and displayed in multiple museums and exhibitions, such as the Mississippi Museum of Art and Mississippi Crafts Center, and she was recently chosen to have multiple pieces displayed in the Black Art Now exhibit at the MMA.  

Outside of NAHS and art, Sabrea is a member of speech and debate, book club, and the Pleiades Literary Magazine, and she is also an honor roll student. Sabrea plans on majoring in art education in college, and she looks forward to being a member of NAEA in the future. 

I am Shriya Sharma, and I am a senior who loves to make art! I am currently the president of my school’s art club, NAHS chapter, and Science Olympiad team. I enjoy dabbling in the natural sciences due to the beauty and inspirational nature of nature! I enjoy reading art history–related materials both outside and inside of class, and I love visiting museums and galleries. I also love working with children and doing charity! I have participated in all of my school’s art auctions for charity and have donated many pieces to these auctions, which I also helped set up. I am a paid tutor at Mathnasium, and I also tutor kids in the humanities at my school. I enjoy studying history, art, and languages. I find languages, especially Latin, very relevant in the art history field, and I have participated in the National Latin Exam, where I placed second, and I also earned an honorable mention. Additionally, I am a member of my school’s HOSA chapter and academic team (which placed fourth at the state championship in 2023). I like doing many things, including playing the piano, but ultimately, I always fall back to art. I have heavily dedicated myself to art in high school (art is the top priority on my schedule), and I hope to become an art curator one day—or if I am lucky enough, maybe an artist. Next year I plan to double major in studio arts and art history at a small college, and I will most likely minor in science.

Kaviya Ravi is an Indian American artist, maker, designer, biochemist, and small business owner. She has lived half of her life in Southern India and now lives in the United States. She is a mixed-media artist and maker who loves to learn and explore new media and techniques. Everything she creates is “Unapologetically Colorful,” and working with her hands brings her the greatest joy. Her motto is to live a silly, simple life, and this philosophy is reflected in her interiors, art, and all her designs. Most days, you can find her exploring the world with her partner and her pup or creating colorfully whimsical things in her little home studio in Louisville, Kentucky. She was a contestant on NBC’s Making It, and her colorful home has been featured on various design blogs and magazines. 
 

Chidera Oforkansi is currently a senior at George Bush High School. With a strong passion for the visual arts, she strives to create pieces that depict the daily struggles of people and the faults of society. This strong passion for art led her to join NAHS during her freshman year and she has stuck with the program ever since, evolving not only as an artist, but also as a person. Being in NAHS has transformed the way Chidera approaches leading others by pushing herself to become a compassionate and patient leader. Chidera hopes to someday become an artist who tackles challenging topics in unconventional ways while spreading her love of the visual arts to the rest of the world. 

Joshua Haynes is a passionate visual artist and student leader from Southaven, Mississippi. He serves as president of his school’s National Art Honor Society, founder and president of the Photography Club, and vice president of both the National Honor Society and Key Club. A dedicated thespian and member of the Orpheum STAR Council, Joshua also represents students as a youth representative on the Southaven Mayor’s Youth Council and as a Big Future and school ambassador. He loves creating portraits, and his photography has been exhibited at venues including the Mid-South Fair, Northwest Community College, Desoto Arts Council High School Exhibition, Brooks Museum, and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, where he has received multiple accolades. An HSF Scholar, AP Scholar, and NCTE Superior recipient, Joshua balances academics, leadership, and creative pursuits while pursuing his goal of becoming a professional photographer. His portfolio and projects can be viewed at lensofjoshua.com.

Klara Schnore is a junior at Kutztown High School in Berks County, Pennsylvania. She is a passionate advocate for the importance of art education in schools. She believes art fosters individuality, supports mental health, and encourages creative problem solving. Klara currently serves as president of the Kutztown High School National Art Honor Society and she previously held the role of class president for 2 years. She is a dedicated student athlete and participates in three varsity sports. She is also the proud recipient of the prestigious Jack Coggins Memorial Award for her creativity and innovation. Klara is also a member of the student council and an active community volunteer. During the summer, she loves devoting a week to help out at a local art camp for younger children. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a degree in museum studies and art conservation, where she can preserve works for future generations to appreciate.

Ella Grail is currently a junior at Ames High School, located near Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She is a driven artist with an extensive contest and exhibit history. She has been an active and engaged participant in NAHS and NJAHS starting in 2021. During those years, she has done substantial service, including The Memory Project, Hospice Project, and volunteering at local art events. Throughout her time in NAHS, she has risen to a leadership position for her school’s chapter. Highlights for Ella have included being the state winner for Doodle for Google, attending the first National Art Honor Society Conference, and becoming a two-time finalist for the Unsung Heroes project. 

Olivia Valenti is a senior at Kent Island High School. In the future, she hopes to attend a 4-year college to major in studio art and education. Her favorite art media to create with are gouache and oil pastel. Olivia’s dream since 2nd grade has been to become an elementary school art teacher so she can use her passion to inspire and help children discover their voices. She loves art because it has allowed her to build confidence in all areas of her life, and she uses art and creativity to express her love for the people and things around her. Olivia also incorporates art into her after school activities and community service work. Her goal is to spread the benefits of art into >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW254766077 BCX0"> community and she’s excited to use her voice to further advance the National Art Honor Society!