Carmel College is proud to celebrate the success of Lower Sixth student Sophie Moore, who achieved 3rd place in the regional heat of the Articulation Prize held at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester on Friday 27 February.

Representing Carmel in a highly competitive round, Sophie competed against students from nine other sixth form colleges across the Northwest and Yorkshire. She delivered a passionate and insightful presentation on New Kids in the Neighborhood by American artist Norman Rockwell.

During her presentation, Sophie explored the themes and historical context of the late 1960s artwork, thoughtfully connecting it to contemporary media imagery. Her ability to link the artwork’s message to modern-day discussions around society and representation made her analysis particularly engaging.

Adjudicators from the National Gallery praised Sophie’s presentation for its captivating delivery, strong audience engagement, and thoughtful analysis, highlighting how effectively she connected the historical artwork with current media narratives. Her interpretation was described as both relevant and impactful.

The Articulation Prize is a prestigious national competition that encourages students aged 16–19 to develop and present their ideas about art, architecture, and the built environment. This year, over 150 speakers competed at regional finals across the country, with participants selected from more than 1,600 internal school presentations nationwide.

Achieving third place at this level is a remarkable accomplishment, and Sophie represented Carmel College with confidence, creativity, and professionalism.

Staff and students at Carmel are incredibly proud of Sophie’s achievement and the passion she demonstrated for art and critical thinking. Her success is a fantastic reflection of the talent and dedication within the college community.