Scholarship winner finds art again in high school

Cliff Williams / TPI Wetumpka High School graduating senior Johnna Beth Sims, right, was awarded the Sylvia McConnell Scholarship from The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts, which is named after a founding board member. Kathy Atchison, left, served as a mentor to Sims and spoke about Sims’ passion for art.

Like many children, Johnna Beth Sims played with paints and other art materials when she was young. She liked the freedom of expression.

But like so many, she moved away from art when she started getting older and peer pressure started becoming an issue.