May 22, 2026 | Hali Schaefer
For Lee County Acceleration Academies graduation candidate Norah Stearns, art has never been just a hobby. It’s part of who she is.
“I’ve been drawing my entire life,” Norah said. “It’s just something I’ve always known.”
Now, her artwork will become part of Acceleration Academies history.
Norah’s striking Phoenix design was recently selected as the winning entry in the Acceleration Academies network-wide mascot contest — a symbol that represents resilience, transformation and hope for students across the country.
For the 18-year-old Lee County student, the moment she learned she won the contest felt surreal.
“I looked down at my phone and realized I had an email,” she recalled. “I opened it and just started jumping and screaming. I immediately called my mom. I felt on top of the world at that moment.”
A Symbol of Rebirth
When Norah first heard about the mascot contest, inspiration came instantly.
“The Phoenix was the first thing that came to mind,” she said. “I was immediately excited because I felt like it represented Acceleration Academies perfectly.”
Her vision for the mascot was deeply personal.
“A lot of students are at Acceleration Academies because of struggles they’ve gone through or because life has given them a bad hand,” Norah explained. “The Phoenix symbolizes that we can improve and grow and become better versions of ourselves when we’re put on the right track by the right people.”
She sees the Lee County Acceleration Academies staff as a major part of that transformation.
“The staff encourage us to grow and learn,” she said. “We’re kind of reborn academically if we’ve fallen far behind. I think that makes the students the Phoenixes.”
For Lee County Academy Director Dr. Julio Ortiz Rios, the meaning behind the artwork is unmistakable.
“I think the Phoenix is Norah,” he said. “She projected herself into this drawing. It’s storytelling. She’s telling her story.”
Finding Her Path
Before enrolling at Acceleration Academies, Norah spent more than two years in a fully virtual school. While the flexibility appealed to her at first, staying focused at home became difficult.
“I get distracted very easily,” she admitted. “At home, there were too many distractions.”
By the time she arrived at Lee County Acceleration Academies a little over a year ago, she had fallen significantly behind on credits and wasn’t sure she would graduate on time.
But the Academy’s flexibility and structure — paired with consistent support from staff — helped her regain momentum toward earning her diploma.
“Immediately, it was easier to focus on my work,” she said. “The staff would notice when I was zoning out or distracted and help get me back on track.”
Norah also found something she hadn’t experienced before in school: genuine relationships with educators and mentors.
“At Acceleration Academies, I got very close with the staff very quickly because everyone is so friendly and open,” she said. “It was like making new friends.”
Dr. Rios says he’s watched Norah grow tremendously during her time at the Academy.
“She’s become a different version of herself,” he said. “She’s made friends, become more connected and gained confidence. She always brings positivity and light when she’s on-site.”
An Artist Through and Through
Norah creates much of her artwork digitally — including the winning Phoenix design, which she drew using only her phone and finger — and enjoys traditional sketching as well.
Her talent has become well known around the Academy. Dr. Rios even keeps several of her drawings displayed in his office.
“She’s incredibly creative,” he said. “Art is one of her greatest strengths.”
Norah’s creativity extends beyond visual art. According to Dr. Rios, she’s also an accomplished singer, though she tends to keep that talent quieter.
“She expresses herself through creativity,” he said. “Whether it’s singing or drawing, she puts her feelings into her art.”
While she doesn’t necessarily plan to pursue art as a career, Norah says creating will always remain an important part of her life.
“I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever let go of,” she said.
Looking Ahead
Norah is preparing to graduate in June with the Class of 2026, an accomplishment that once felt uncertain.
“I didn’t actually think I was going to make this graduation date,” she admitted.
Now, she’s looking ahead to new possibilities, including potentially attending technical school to study butchery — a career path she became interested in through her love of cooking and food preparation.
As she gets closer to graduation, though, her Phoenix becomes more than just a mascot for Acceleration Academies. It will serve as a symbol of resilience, perseverance and second chances for graduation candidates across the network.
For many students at Acceleration Academies, the path to graduation has not been traditional.
Some, like Norah, arrived behind on credits. Others struggled in large classroom settings, experienced personal hardships or simply needed a different environment to succeed.
The Phoenix represents the journey so many students take — rising from setbacks, rebuilding confidence and discovering new possibilities for their future.
That symbolism is exactly what Norah hoped her design would capture.
For Dr. Rios, the design reflects not only Norah’s personal story, but the transformation he sees in students every day.
“This mascot represents rebirth,” he said. “It represents students realizing their potential, overcoming challenges and becoming the best versions of themselves.”