Uptown Charlotte Senior Portraits | Future Tennessee Vol

This Uptown Charlotte Senior Portrait Session was a special treat for me. I’ve known Sarah and her family for many years but have never had the chance to photograph them. When mom Amy called and asked, I jumped at the chance to take senior portraits of her beautiful girl. Meet my friend Sarah. She graduated from Providence High School on June 8th and is about to be a Tennessee Vol!

Go Big Orange!

It truly is “great to be a Tennessee Vol” and I can’t wait for Sarah to experience that for herself. She first stepped on campus at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville several years ago during a swim meet. During that weekend, she noted some unique campus features but didn’t think much more about the school until she started touring colleges. Sarah says:

When I returned to Tennessee for an official college visit it was like a lightbulb went off in my brain. I knew it was where I was meant to be. I loved everything about it from the strong school spirit and beautiful green campus to Neyland Stadium and downtown Knoxville. It was exactly what I wanted in a college and I can’t wait to call the University of Tennessee home.

Sarah Virkler, Class of 2024

Sarah plans to major in Psychology then attend graduate school to earn a Doctor of Psychology degree. She hopes to become a clinical child psychologist and one day have her own practice.

Honor Student & Superstar Swimmer

Sarah is the epitome of a thriving student athlete. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was an officer for Providence’s The Key Club. She earned those honors all while being a dedicated member of the school’s swim team for four years and serving as Varsity Captain during her senior year. During her final year of school swim, she earned All Conference Honors and was the Conference Winner of the 500 Free. She was also awarded Providence Female Athlete of the Month in December. In addition to school swim, Sarah spent seven years swimming for the Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg (ATOM). She plans to continue swimming on the Club Swim Team at the University of Tennessee.

Senior Memories & Summer Plans

Summer includes spending “as much time with my friends as possible before going to college.” Sarah and her friends love doing “the little things together” and “have fun no matter what we do” so plans include pool time, coffee runs, lake days, long drives and maybe a beach trip or two. Also this summer, Sarah will end her ATOM club swimming career with a final meet in July and following that will travel to Hilton Head Island with her extended family. This trip is a family tradition that has existed for as long as she can remember.

Speaking of memories, Sarah almost has too many favorite senior moments to count. I LOVE that she didn’t have one bit of trouble recalling so many good times. Sarah loved Friday Night Lights at Providence football games, especially claiming a front row, seniors-only seat. She sang her heart out at the Lana Del Rey concert (her first concert!) and attended NCHSAA Swim States 2024 with her Providence team. She swam the 500 Free, the 400 Free Relay and the 200 Free Relay. But her favorite moments were bonding times such as hanging in the hotel lobby and team dinners. Ultimately, the women’s team placed 8th overall which “was really exciting as it had been a long time since we placed that high.” Senior Prom was also extra special including a pre-Prom brunch and bouquet making. It was “the best ending to all of the school dances.”

Virkler Family – I’m so happy that your amazing girl is going to my Alma Mater. We snagged a great one and I can’t wait to follow her adventures in Big Orange Country. Thank you for trusting me to document this milestone. She looks amazing and obviously nailed her Uptown Charlotte Senior Portrait Session! Here are just a few of our favorites!

Click here to see more High School Seniors on the Blog.