MOSES LAKE, Wash. — Moses Lake Sophomore Eddie Avila was named the 2025 Section 8 winner of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Heart of the Arts Award.
The award goes to those who consistently showcase the ideals of a positive heart and spirit of the arts.
This is the first time in Moses Lake High School history that a student has received the national award.
Avila’s story began when he took a chance on a photography class as an elective at Moses Lake High School.
He discovered he had a passion for photography in that class, and was named the CTE Photography Student of the year while he was a freshman.
Photography evolved from a passion to a tool for community connection and advocacy for Avila.
Knowing school programs were at risk of being eliminated due to budget cuts, he pointed his lens on the student activities and athletics to show the true impact such cuts would have.
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“Instead of going to root on his fellow schoolmates in the student section, he picks up his camera and takes pictures for the annual or just as a hobby,” wrote Loren Sandhop, MLHS Athletic Director, in his nomination of Eddie for the award. “He has taken his talents of photography into the community to help sell our need for funding our programs.”
Avila’s photos have been featured in a Columbia Basin Herald article about the levy-funded programs that were on the chopping block.
He was honored for his achievement Tuesday afternoon at a school assembly.
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