Reflections: A Gallery of 2013-2014 Student Art

Since 1969, the PTA Reflections program has encouraged students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their creativity. Each year, students in preschool through high school are invited to create and submit works of art in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and the visual arts. In the 2013-2014 school year, Reflections students shared their artistic interpretations on the theme “Believe, Dream, Inspire.”

National PTA Reflections submissions are reviewed by experts in the visual, literary and performing arts. Judges look for personal interpretation on the program theme that best exemplify creativity and technical skill. We are proud to share with you this year’s award winning works of art and invite you to join us at future exhibitions.

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Dance Choreography

Outstanding Interpretation in Dance Choreography –
“One World” by Ella Carter-Klauschie

“The words Believe, Dream, and Inspire make me think of Peace on Earth. I Believe that it can happen. I Dream that people can make a difference. I’m Inspired by dances from other cultures. Dance can bring people together. This dance represents Brazil, Senegal, India and the U.S. as separate cultures to cherish. We come together to respect each other’s cultures, and learn new things. Learning about one another helps us find our similarities, and celebrate our differences. This piece includes Contemporary, West African,Samba-Reggae, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Hip-Hop dance. I shaped the traditional styles to show connection.” – Ella Carter-Klauschie

View all national award winning dance choreography submissions.

 

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Film Production

Outstanding Interpretation in Film Production –
“Dream Walking” by Eric Gillespie

“The film I created is about my Dad. My dad still dreams of running marathons. My dad inspires me very much. My dad believes in things that he didn’t think he could do before. When we believe in our dreams we can do the difficult things that are inspiring.” – Eric Gillespie

View all national award winning film production submissions.

 

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Literature

Outstanding Interpretation in Literature –
The Girl Who Called the Moon” by Biz Rasich

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“My piece was an experiment. I used a new style and a new voice, challenging myself to let my muse direct me instead of vice versa. The idea of Delia really spoke to me–her indignation at having been left behind, her hope that the moon would bring her father back, all of her spitfire, four-year-old naivety–resulting in the story essentially writing itself. Such moments of clarity are rare for me. That’s the struggle of writing, I suppose: inspiration comes at the most unexpected times and with such unexpected ferocity.” – Biz Rasich

View all national award winning literature submissions.

 

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Music Composition

Outstanding Interpretation in Music Composition –
“Live Your Dreams” by Joseph Codispoti

“This piece is about people who are afraid to take chances and live their dreams. This work expresses the struggle and frustration that comes with doubting yourself, but shows the benefits of chasing your dreams in the end.” – Joseph Codispoti

Listen to all national award winning music composition submissions.

 

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Photography

Outstanding Interpretation in Photography –
“Ink Mirage” by Hannah Shoultz

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“In this photo, a self-portrait, the pages of a book form an almost mask-like covering over my face to mirror the idea that inspiration covers, it reaches all depths of the mind and urges you on to greater heights. The pages are translucent, lending a dream-like quality to the photo and illustrating the idea that inspiration lends itself to dreaming: imagining new worlds, new experiences, and new lives. When one finds themselves in a place where they are truly inspired and able to dream, they can then finally begin to believe, and with that, a belief in themselves.” – Hannah Shoultz

View all national award winning photography submissions.

 

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Visual Arts

Outstanding Interpretation in Visual Arts –
“Dream and Inspiration” by Daniel Chang

 Daniel Chang OIA VisArtwork

“The title of my artwork is “Dream and Inspiration.” I dream about being a great scientist. I can create the future and change the world better. Thomas Edison inspires me the most. “Genius is one percent inspiration ninety-nine percent perspiration.” – Daniel Chang

View all national award winning photography submissions.

 

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Special Artist

Outstanding Interpretation in Special Artist Division –
“Imagine” by Jessica Clay

“I choreographed my dance to the song “Imagine,” because the song is about having no lines and the world living as one. This is an integrated dance which brings people with and without disabilities together. I believe everyone should be equal. I hope my dance can educate and open people’s minds. Also, I hope to inspire some social change and make a difference in this world.” – Jessica Clay

Learn more about the Special Artist Division for students with disability.

 

Upcoming Exhibitions: Reflections at the U.S. Department of Education

Join us Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 11:00am for the annual Reflections Exhibit Opening & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the U.S. Department of Education, adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, DC. Exhibit will feature national award winning works of art in film production, dance choreography, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts from the 2013-2014 school-year theme: Believe, Dream, Inspire. To RSVP, email reflections@pta.org.

The public exhibit is open Monday-Friday, except federal holidays, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., January 6 – February 25, and is located in the LBJ Education Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202. To schedule a visit, contact Nicole Carinci, Management & Program Analyst at the U.S. Dept. of Education, at nicole.carinci@ed.gov or call (202)453-5585.

The Reflections Believe, Dream, Inspire exhibit will also be featured at the National PTA Convention June 26-27 in Charlotte, NC. Save the date!

Please email reflections@pta.org for questions regarding Reflections student art exhibits.

 

Comments

  1. Jen Poulson says:

    Do you happen to have a collage video of the winners from last year, that I can show at our schools assembly to get our kids excited about reflections this year?
    Thanks!

  2. Judy says:

    Beautiful!!

  3. Andrea Talley says:

    Can there be more than one video that gives great examples of each category? Perhaps a 3 minute video, giving each category a 30 second clip? I would love to be able to stop it and show the beginning intro to the theme, then segmented 30 second clips of winning examples from last year’s winners. That way each day or a few times a week while the Reflections campaign is going on, the students can get a small dose of one category. Another day another category and so on. If I had 2 videos like that I could spread them out over the first 2 weeks and give my students good examples and ideas of what interpretations and thoughts evolve and bring forth into meaningful and winning entries.

    The videos would be beneficial in that the students would get really good examples of actual winners.
    They would also benefit in that my school might gain more entries and have more chance of Arts participants, which would enhance and already talented school that is very sport orientated. There are so many children with many great talents, videos that Principals are willing to share daily would only enhance, highlight and develop, tipping the iceberg of such an amazing program as Reflections.

    As a volunteer, I’ve been doing this for about 5 years elementary to Middle school. I would love to do more, I’ve often do think about making a video but I just don’t have the time and resources that you all do. I sincerely hope that you are able to consider helping me make this a jam up Reflections 2015-2016 campaign this year. It’s amazing what can happen when families are brought together to the school to see their students accomplishments, that is one of my favorite things about Reflections, those Awards Days are filled with excitement and awe when students often unrecognized for anything, get recognized for their abilities. That feeling is what keeps me motivated to do Reflections each year. Look forward to hearing from you!

  4. redgirl says:

    i love the photography

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