Jefferson High School’s Feagans Named NFHS Heart of the Arts Section Winner

Annika Theresa Feagans, a senior at Jefferson High School, has been named the Section 2 winner of the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Heart of the Arts Award. 

The NFHS Heart of the Arts Award recognizes students, adults, or groups associated with a school’s performing arts program who exemplify exemplary citizenship, have exceeded expectations in service to others, or have overcome significant adversity. Eight section winners are selected nationally, along with one national winner.

Feagans has participated in marching band, jazz band, concert band, and symphonic band at Jefferson High School, playing trombone since fifth grade. She has earned recognition through Region 9 Honor Band, Shepherd University Honor Band, the Shepherd University Community Trombone Choir Ensemble, Big Band Jazz, and the WV FFA State Band. She received her program’s Director’s Award last year. She maintains a 4.09 weighted GPA, has completed dual enrollment coursework, and will enter Shepherd University as a sophomore upon graduation in spring 2026. She has also been recognized by TRI-M Music National Honor Society and the National Honor Society.

Her selection centers on her continued participation and leadership in the performing arts while managing multiple diagnosed medical conditions, including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She underwent surgery in August 2025 and returned to the marching band for the first football game of the season on Aug. 29. She has also been diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD.

Beyond band, Feagans has been involved in FFA, Key Club, and multiple community service efforts, including volunteering with the Martinsburg Rescue Community Outreach Center. She aspires to a career in elementary education with a focus on supporting students with disabilities.

Section and national winners will be recognized through an NFHS press release, publication in High School Today, and a video shown at the NFHS Summer Meeting. The national winner will also be recognized in person at that meeting. The WVSSAC submitted her nomination to the NFHS. 

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