Phoebus High School student earns national art award

Nakia Boykin, an 11th grader at Phoebus High School, earned third place in the 2025 Sister Cities National Art Contest. The contest theme, Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace, inspired Nakia’s expressive painting, which reflected her childhood memories and the importance of friendships. Her work conveys hope and the endless possibilities that can grow through global connection and understanding. For her achievement, Nakia received a $250 award.

 

William Hakanson, Nakia’s art teacher at Phoebus, shared, “Since joining Hampton City Schools last year, Nakia Boykin has stood out for her dedication and responsiveness to her teachers in our academy. She quickly made her mark at Phoebus and continues to shine as an exceptional student and artist.”

 

In her artist’s statement, Nakia explained that she chose her childhood neighborhood in Newport News, Virginia, as the subject because children represent the strongest source of authentic connections and answers to conflict. Through imagery of three children, streetlights, and a familiar corner store, she sought to capture the purity of friendships and the vast possibilities youth hold. Nakia expressed that bringing children together and exposing them to different cultures is a path toward greater peace and understanding worldwide.