National PTA Reflections Virtual Showcase Highlights Young Artists and Family Members 

March 25, 2023 By Leave a Comment
PTA Reflections

On January 25, 2023, National PTA concluded the celebration of the 2021-2022 “I Will Change the World By…” Reflections year with the Reflections Student Arts Virtual Showcase. This special event featured 20 extraordinary young creators sharing the inspiration for their national award-winning artwork, as well as a few of their parents who emphasized the importance of the arts and family engagement.  

Pictured: High schooler Ralienne Nacional (2021-2022 Award of Merit, Music Composition) shares the inspiration for her song, “Change the World.” 

The hour-long presentation, which includes closed captioning in English and Spanish, was attended live by over 900 virtual attendees and remains archived on National PTA’s YouTube channel. 

Clockwise, from left: Eden Salem, Award of Excellence in Film Production, Illinois; Arvin Nambi, Award of Merit in Music Composition, North Carolina; Isaac Cinnamon, Award of Merit in Film Production, South Carolina; Shirly Liu, Award of Excellence in Visual Arts, New Jersey; Sophia Cedillo, Award of Merit in Photography, Kentucky; Diara Giri, Award of Excellence in Literature, Illinois 

Meet Some of the Students Featured in the Showcase  

Nivedhitha “Nivi” Magesh (Award of Excellence in Visual Art, Georgia) shared the inspiration for her award-winning drawing “Warmth in Every Color” as well as other photos of her paintings. 

“I thought of using my art to relieve or help people if they are sad or stressed.” – Nivi Magesh 

Rhyanna Murdock (Award of Excellence in Photography, Idaho) invited us all to be our best selves by lifting others up through difficult times with her award-winning photograph “Rising Up.”  

“I lift others up by being a light when others can’t be.” – Rhyanna Murdock 

Tyme Anusonti-Inthra (Youth’s Benefit Elementary School PTA, Maryland) revealed how he supported conservation and biology projects as a “citizen scientist” in his delightful stop-motion film titled “Mission: Citizen Science.” 

“With the theme in mind, I decided to challenge myself to be a Citizen Scientist for one whole year. My data helps the scientists understand, and hopefully solve, real world problems that we are all facing.” – Tyme Anusonti-Inthra 

Cadence Stewart (Newington Elementary School PTA, South Carolina) shared the meaning behind her award-winning dance choreography “Overcome,” which was created in honor the lives lost to due to gun violence and racism. 

“I create dance choreography because it helps me express my feelings and thoughts when I can’t say it in words. My family supports me by always encouraging me to never give up and to send a message when I’m dancing.” – Cadence Stewart 

This year’s Showcase also featured appearances by several Reflections parents, each highlighting in their own way the role that family can play in nurturing students’ creativity. Here is what some of them had to say: 

“Parents and family members can support their students’ creative expression by just letting them be themselves. As parents, we see the potential in our children and there are things that we want them to accomplish, but we often overlook how they really feel and what they really want to do. Let’s continue to encourage our youth to explore, remain lifelong learners and trust the process.” – Candace Fladger (Cadence’s Mom) 

“When [my children] create art, I can see them trying to express these complex ideas that they have in their heads that they’re not really sure how to say…not really sure how to put it into words…but they can put it into art. – Tonya Hamill (Otto’s Mom) 

“There’s never a day without music in our family… As a family, watching them work hard on a piece to perform it on stage or to enter it into a competition, it’s so rewarding to watch and it makes us so proud because we know how much effort went into it.” – Preetha Nambi (Arvin’s Mom) 

Want to hear more from these and other special guests from the 2023 Reflections Showcase? Visit National PTA’s YouTube channel and watch an archived recording of the full 2021-2022 program year Showcase, along with a celebration video honoring the 7 Outstanding Interpretation awardees of 2021-2022.   

Congratulations, once again, to all the national winners from the 2021-2022 I Will Change the World By… Reflections program. To view the artwork and artist statements from all 200+ national Reflections winners, check out our virtual exhibit of student works at PTA.org/IWillChangeTheWorldBy. 

The national winners for the 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections program will be announced May 1 at PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards.  

In the meantime, stay connected to National PTA on social media @NationalPTA and #PTAReflections for the latest news from Reflections. For more information about the Reflections program, please visit PTA.org/Reflections. We welcome your support of this next generation of young creators! 

Cathleen O’Malley is the Arts Education Fellow at National PTA. 

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Meet Paige Opaska—the 2024-2025 Reflections Theme Search Contest Winner! 

February 14, 2023 By Leave a Comment
PTA Reflections

Every year, National PTA invites students across the PTA member network to participate in the annual Reflections Theme Search Contest—a national competition to select an original and inspiring theme for the upcoming Reflections year. We are so pleased to announce the winner of the 2024-2025 Reflections Theme Search… drumroll please! 

Congratulations to Paige Opaska, an 8th grader from Barbara Bush Middle School PTA in San Antonio, Texas, for her winning theme, “Accepting Imperfection.”  

Paige’s theme was selected from nearly 100 student submissions across 20 State PTAs, with reviews conducted by the National PTA board officers and programs committee. As the Theme Search Contest winner, Paige will receive $100 from National PTA and national recognition throughout the year.  

“Accepting Imperfection” will serve as the inspiration for hundreds of thousands of students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad as they create original dance choreography, film productions, music compositions, photography, literature and visual art as part of the 2024-2025 Reflections program. 

Paige described her theme in this way: “‘Accepting Imperfection’ is a reminder to myself that mistakes are welcome because they are a part of being human. Our flaws are as much a part of us as our strengths, so being imperfect should be perfect enough for us.” 

Texas State PTA leadership, Paige’s middle school principal and special guests surprised her with a weeknight Zoom call Jan. 18 to announce that her theme had been chosen as the national winner.  

The announcement included Michelle Jackson, Texas PTA, Executive Director; Carrie Mays, Texas PTA, Programs Manager; Melinda Samberson, Texas PTA VP Programs and Resources; Risa Ginther, Texas PTA Arts in Ed Chair; Ana-Maria Morales, President, Barbara Bush Middle School PTA; Lettie Galarza, Barbara Bush Middle School PTA, Reflections Chair; Rodolfo Salinas, Principal, Barbara Bush Middle School; Kate Patterson, North East ISD Council of PTAs, Arts in Education; and Debbie Weissmuller, North East ISD Council of PTAs, President. Thanks to Paige’s mom, Kristen Opaska, for helping coordinate the big reveal—check out those smiles! 

The “Accepting Imperfection” theme was a strong favorite among National PTA’s Theme Search review panel, with one reviewer noting that the theme “allows students room to show vulnerability, a willingness to address failure and move on, promotes empathy and a pro-mental health mindset.”  

In addition to participating in the theme search competition, Paige is one of the hundreds of thousands of students across the country who submitted artwork for the current year’s Reflections 2022-2023 program, inspired by the theme, “Show Your Voice!” When asked for advice to other young artists looking to develop their creativity, Paige replied: 

“I’m involved in a lot of different clubs within my school, including band and sports, so my advice would be, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take advantage of opportunities you are given.”  

The current 2022-2023 theme, “Show Your Voice!” was submitted by 2021 Theme Search winner Jason Yevin from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York State. Regional and state submissions for the current year are ongoing, with national winners to be announced May 1, so mark your calendar! 

Next year’s 2023-2024 Reflections program theme, “I Am Hopeful Because...” was composed by Alice Meko of Hampton Cove Elementary School in Alabama during the 2022 Theme Search.  You can learn more about Alice’s theme idea in this blog post. Stay tuned for the program launch at PTA.org/Reflections and then look for more information from your participating state PTA. 

Students from PTA member schools can help shape the future of the Reflections program by participating in the annual Theme Search Contest. We welcome your creativity and imagination! Visit your state PTA’s Reflections Program page to learn more.  

Cathleen O’Malley is the 2022-2024 National PTA Arts in Education Fellow. 

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Meet National PTA’s Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Recipients

July 28, 2022 By Leave a Comment

National PTA’s Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant awards two local PTAs $1,000 in funds for student-centered programs that increase access to high quality arts learning experiences and new pathways for students – especially those hardest to reach – to participate in the arts and National PTA’s Reflections program.

We were so excited to select Jayne Ann Miller Elementary PTA in Texas and Hazelwood PTA in Washington to receive the award in 2021, and we were even more impressed with the innovative projects these two PTAs did with the grant funding. Check out their stories below!

Jayne Ann Miller Elementary PTA
Lubbock, Texas

With support from the Mary Lou Anderson Arts Enhancement grant, Jayne Ann Miller Elementary PTA, a diverse, Title 1 school, used the funds to invite Reflections students to an event and purchase new display panels that increased the school’s ability to display artwork from every student, ensuring that students receive recognition for their creative talents for many years to come. Prior to the grant, Miller Elementary School’s art teacher had to reserve display panels from a central office for a finite duration of time.

Each year, Miller Elementary School holds an annual fine arts event called Owlapalooza. This year, the PTA focused on including the Reflections Awards Ceremony during this event, making it a centerpiece of the program. The PTA sent out personalized invitations to Reflections families and provided awards to Reflections participants to boost student confidence and honor their hard work and creativity.

The new panels were a huge success and helped bring more attention to the arts. Britni Wilkins, PTA President and Program Leaders said, “Now, these panels will remain in our school building, in use permanently, so that our students’ work is always being displayed proudly for the school community to enjoy.”

Simultaneously, the PTA asked the community to support their arts programming by fulfilling wish list items. The PTA was proud that every single item requested was donated, including 28 boxes of crayons, 378 glue sticks, 5 packages of Velcro, 28 boxes of colored pencils, 500 sheets of construction paper, a package of art posters and 72 sharpies.

Jayne Ann Miller Elementary PTA reported that one of the biggest highlights of this program was watching the joy on each child’s face as they accepted their award, hugged their art teacher and showed their family members their thoughtfully displayed artwork at the front of our cafetorium. The PTA shared a story about one of our students who advanced to state level in the Reflections program, who had been struggling with self-confidence due to academic challenges. The family told the PTA that the child’s confidence soared after receiving their Reflections award and having their artwork publicly recognized.

Hazelwood Elementary School PTA
Newcastle, Washington

With financial support from the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant, the Hazelwood PTA implemented a Meet the Masters program in every K-5 classroom. The grant helped the PTA overcome barriers for participation of all students including teacher support, funding of art supplies, schedule challenges, volunteer support and sustainability.

With community input, Hazelwood PTA chose to focus on the arts because Hazelwood did not provide a standard art curriculum. The PTA formed an arts committee and advocated for the Meet the Masters, a standards-based elementary school art curriculum, in order to increase emotional development, address cultural diversity and inclusion and provide arts access to all. They presented the program to the teachers and gained their support. They also worked collaboratively to recruit an art docent and 25 new volunteers through outreach and information sessions to administer the program.

The Meet the Masters program provided an opportunity to explore what artists may have been feeling with opene conversations with the students. The program also explored six chosen artists from different backgrounds, including local African American artist Jacob Lawerence and Katsushika Hokusai of Japan who – despite being poor – was able to draw using rice. The program helped build curiosity and understanding of diverse artists and cultures to build a more inclusive community

At the end of the program and school year, Hazelwood PTA planned a community art gallery and Museum of Art (MOMA) fundraiser to bring the community together in celebration of the arts and to support curiosity, awareness and discussion about diversity and inclusion. Through this work, the PTA lined the halls with artwork each month which promoted conversations around art, community and connection.

Prior to the grant and Meet the Masters, the school did not have a standard art program, so it was up to each teacher to decide how, when and if art was integrated into the classroom. The Hazelwood PTA is proud that they were able to bring this important program to all students in their school community.  Teaessa Chism, Program Leader, said “The program has gained school and community awareness now. We have received positive feedback from parents and teachers with will help with future fundraising to cover supplies and future artists.” Now, the arts can be explored in every classroom, increasing access to an art curriculum that supports diversity, inclusion and social emotional development. 

Congratulations, once again, to Jayne Ann Miller Elementary PTA and Hazelwood PTA! Look for the Mary Lou Anderson Arts Enhancement grant and others to open in August. Visit PTA.org/ArtsEd and PTA.org/Grants for more information.

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Congratulations to National PTA’s Outstanding Interpretation Awardees!

July 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Thousands of young artists from across the country participated in the 2021-2022 National PTA Reflections program by creating original works of art in response to the student-selected theme: I Will Change the World By….

Winning student artworks advanced from the local PTA level to the district, region, council, state and, ultimately, to the national level. This year, National PTA received over 900 student submissions from 47 State PTA Congresses.

Credential arts professionals conducted two rounds of blind review to determine the 200+ students who received national-level recognition for their artistic accomplishments. Just seven students earned the program’s top honor: the Award of Outstanding Interpretation. They were selective because of their distinctive interpretation of the theme, creativity and technical skills.

Each Outstanding Interpretation awardee represents one of the Reflections program’s six arts categories and the Special Artist division, which include Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. Reflections encourages students with disabilities to fully participate in the program by welcoming young artists to enter through the Special Artist division.

We are excited to introduce this year’s exemplary Award of Outstanding Interpretation recipients!

Oviya Gowder–Dance Choreography
James Clemens High School PTSA, Alabama

Oviya conveyed a powerful message in her dance choreography, Save The Children. The piece addresses human trafficking and its threat to young adults. To set the tone for her work, her artist statement begins with a quote from author Edward Everett Hale: “I am only one, but I am one. I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” She continues to demonstrate the power of one’s actions to prevent tragedy by learning to recognize signs of human trafficking.

The artwork earned top marks because of Oviya’s original interpretation of the theme. She shares, “The Reflections contest gave me a platform to raise awareness about something that is not usually brought up or talked about. My career interest lies in the pediatrics area, and this inspired me to create a piece revolving around the safety of children.”

Yasmeen Fas–Film Production
Green Township PTA, New Jersey

Yasmeen’s film production Reduce, Reuse and Recycle incorporates careful research to demonstrate how individuals can save our planet. In her artist statement, she explains, “What is something that we all can do to help our planet? The answer is: Recycling!” The video includes compelling statistics, such as the fact that energy saved from recycling a glass bottle is equivalent to powering a lightbulb for up to 4 hours.

To explain her inspiration for the work, Yasmeen shares, “When walking my dog around the neighborhood I noticed some trash on grassy areas, behind the buildings, along sidewalks and around drains on the streets. I didn’t like what I saw, so I went home, grabbed a trash bag and picked it all up. I really wanted to show that even a small thing like that could help keep our neighborhood clean. Imagine if everyone did the same, then it would change our environment for the best!”

Dao Nguyen–Literature
Castillero Middle School PTA, California

Dao’s poem, titled Dandelion, reflects the beauty of one’s individual power. Her artist statement details this concept: “The world is a big place, and I know that being only one person in it can be daunting for young people like myself. So Dandelion is a poem about how even if you’re just one human, you can still have an effect on this world through what I believe is most important to share with other people—your passion, ideas, and stories.”

Dao shared nature’s influence on her writing. She explains, “Plants like dandelions spread their seeds around the world so they can continue to grow, even in unexpected places. [It’s] like how you can share your knowledge and creativity, so it inspires other people.” Dao notes another influence on her writing is the future reader’s perception. She notes that metaphors and analogies can be used “to connect the dots like you’re painting a picture so the reader understands your message.” Read Dao’s poem.

James Jordan–Special Artist, Music Composition
Syracuse High School PTSA, Utah

James’ thoughtful introspection stood out with his music composition piece, Change the World Right. In his artist statement, James explains, “The lyrics in the song explain how changing the world can be a positive or negative impact on others and yourself. It’s important to reflect on change because you can make decisions that could be influential and beneficial for others to learn and experience. The story behind the lyrics is how I overcame challenges in my life and adapted to a changing world.”

The song’s significance is deeply personal to James. He notes the challenges he has faced, sharing, “I struggled with autism for many years in school.” Yet, that he is “clever and artistic” and has harnessed the power of the arts to express himself. James explains, “This song is a puzzle piece of my life that will remind me of the inspiration I had to change the world. This year’s Reflections taught me that inspiration could come from anywhere and whatever happens next is a world with you in it.”

Listen to James’s song.

Sonia Singh–Music Composition
Acadia PTA, New York

Sonia shares a compelling melody with her musical composition, Rainbow. In her artist statement, she shares, “My composition, Rainbow, relates to the theme I Will Change The World By… through spreading the message that we can build a better tomorrow. Recent times have been very trying and there has been very little light in the world. Through my uplifting songs, I will help people see that there is always a way to make their lives brighter. Even if things seem bleak, we can bring out the light from inside us and together make a rainbow for everyone.”

The song allowed Sonia to convey a powerful moment in time. She shared, “I wrote this song after the worst of COVID-19 when things were starting to open up and we finally had hope for the future. In the past, there have been plenty of setbacks for us as people but I’ve realized that what matters is that we always get up again and never stop fighting.”

Listen to Sonia’s song.

Arsal Shaur–Photography
County Parkway PTA, New York

Arsal’s photograph, I Can Change the World by Enlightening Others with Knowledge, conveys a message that is near and dear to the mission of National PTA. In his artist statement, Arsal explains, “I am grateful that I have the opportunity to get an education. There are many children in the world who cannot get and afford to have a basic education. I can change the world by spreading knowledge. I can raise my voice so that every child in the world can have a basic education, at least.”

The details in the photograph further the artwork’s significance. Arsal notes that “the book in the photograph represents knowledge and the brightness in the background shows the light which knowledge brings in our lives.”

Jasmine Roldan–Visual Arts
Hicksville High School PTSA, New York

Jasmine’s detailed visual arts piece is titled Say Their Names. In her artist statement, she writes, “As a female of color in America living in such corrupt times, I hope to change the world by advocating for civil rights. All the people displayed on this piece have been subject to unjust violence leading to their deaths. Their names written within the word ‘EQUALITY’ correspond to their faces. Some of them were grandmothers to their grandchildren, track stars, or as young as 10 years old. Say their names. By doing just that, you too can change the world.”

To further highlight her inspiration for the work, Jasmine explains, “I create art to show just how much people, ideas, things matter to me. Their lives matter along with those, including myself, that look like them. I hope to ignite a spark within everyone to reflect on what they can do to be the change they want to see in the world.”

Congratulations to our I Will Change the World By… Outstanding Interpretation winners! We look forward to recognizing your achievements at the 2022 Virtual Outstanding Interpretation Reflections Winners Celebration, which will be available on National PTA’s YouTube channel July 21, 2022.   

For more inspiration, please visit PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards to find the official Reflections awards announcement, the complete list of the 200+ student winners, and our digital gallery of student works. Stay connected to National PTA on social media (@NationalPTA and #PTAReflections) as we continue to recognize and celebrate student talents throughout the year.

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Art in Action: The National PTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Exhibit

February 15, 2022 By Leave a Comment

National PTA has been seeking and actively listening to input from students and communities across the United States on how to best act in support of social justice and racial equity. In particular, the 2020-2021 Reflections program theme I Matter Because… took on new meaning in the wake of a national reckoning around systemic racism in our country.  

As part of this important work and because we know that the arts are a vital platform for children and youth to elevate their voices, National PTA launched a new initiative. We invited PTA Reflections artists of color and their allies to share artwork that expresses and affirms their beliefs and identities, as well as the importance of Black lives.  

Our open call for artwork was answered with nearly 150 student submissions from 19 different states. The entries included deeply personal and heartfelt pieces—ranging from collages and photographs to poems and dance choreography, and more. The thoughtful artworks allowed National PTA to connect and uplift the feelings of so many of our Black and Brown children. 

We invite you to explore a selection of these pieces in an interactive, immersive virtual gallery: The National PTA DEI Exhibit. Visitors can navigate through the 3D space to engage directly with students’ art. If a particular piece moves you, you can click on it to learn more about it and tap the “heart” button to express your enthusiasm and appreciation.  

Curious about the kind of art you’ll encounter? Take this piece in the exhibition as an example—a self-portrait titled, “I Am Just Like Me.” Created by Carissa Montier, the artist shared her inspiration for the painting.  

“As a young black girl in today’s world, it is hard to feel worthy and beautiful; hard to understand that I am good enough. I don’t need to fit the standard of society to be amazing, I need to be myself and embrace my blackness. I AM good enough because I Am Just Like Me.”  

Each piece in the exhibition is as thoughtful as the next. Collectively, the virtual gallery urges viewers to consider students’ diverse experiences and what it means for them to ‘matter’ today.   

In the first 48 hours of The National PTA DEI Exhibit’s launch, it received over 1,000 views from around the world. Reflecting on her personal experience in the gallery, National PTA President Anna King shared, “I love seeing how our children have expressed themselves. One poem brought tears to my eyes, because it’s a true reflection of what many of our children face every day.” 

We invite you to find inspiration in these students’ unique perspectives by immersing yourself in The National PTA DEI Exhibit at PTA.org/DEIexhibit and on our arts education and advocacy webpage at PTA.org/ArtsEd. The virtual experience is available through summer 2022.  

This initiative could not have been possible without the collective support of dedicated PTA volunteers across the country, PTA Reflections sponsor BAND, and of course, our talented student artists who were willing to express their feelings and experiences. 

Stay connected to National PTA on our website and social media (@NationalPTA and #PTAReflections)  and continue to visit our Arts Ed Resources for more ways to celebrate diversity in the arts.

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Meet the 2023-2024 Reflections Theme Search Contest Winner!

January 28, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad participate in the Reflections program, creating artwork in response to an annual theme. Through Reflections, PTA provides students with an opportunity to grow their confidence and a platform to raise their voice on social issues. As part of that effort, we are proud to say that since the program’s launch over 50 years ago, the annual Reflections theme has always been developed by a student through the National PTA Annual Theme Search Contest.  

During the Theme Search Contest, students from across the country submit unique theme suggestions to their state PTAs, who then select up to five finalist themes and send them to National PTA. Once the submissions reach National PTA, volunteer leaders conduct multiple stages of review. These reviewers narrow the wide field of creative entries to just one by searching for a theme that is original, inspiring, focused and widely applicable. It is not an easy task!  

In fall 2021, we began a nationwide search for the theme for the 2023-2024 program year. Over the course of the Theme Search Contest, National PTA received over 75 entries from 18 different state PTAs. From these state-winning, student-selected theme submissions, we are excited to announce that the winner is …  

Alice Meko with her submission, I Am Hopeful Because…!  

With her winning submission, Alice joins the ranks of select students who have shaped the Reflections program over the years by determining the theme that guides an entire program cycle. Alice is a fourth-grader from Hampton Cove Elementary School PTA in Alabama. Her winning theme suggestion has earned her $100 and will inspire thousands of students across the nation during the 2023-2024 Reflections program. 

Alabama PTA surprised Alice with the news during an awards ceremony at her school. The event included Paula Lyman, Alabama PTA VP Programs and ALPTA Reflections Co-chair; Liz Boykin, Alabama PTA, Reflections Co-chair; Beth Wilder, Huntsville City Schools Board of Education, District 2; Christie Finley, Superintendent, Huntsville City Schools; Elizabeth Fleming, Director of Public Development, Huntsville City Schools; Dr. Lakeeta Perkins, Hampton Cove Elementary, Principal; and Sonia Parker, Hampton Cove Elementary, GATE teacher. Everyone was so excited to come together and recognize Alice’s accomplishment!  

During the program, Alice took a moment to share her inspiration for her winning theme. She explained, “Through these rough times, everybody needs a little hope around here.” 

Reviewers for the 2023-2024 Theme Search Contest also noted that I Am Hopeful Because… is relatable to many. One reviewer shared that hope is “something needed more than ever.” And while it is highly applicable now, hope springs eternal; the theme will likely remain inspiring to students for years to come. 

Currently, Reflections participants are creating artwork in response to the 2021-2022 program year’s theme, I Will Change the World By…, which was submitted by Lydia Keel from Spanish Fork Junior High School PTSA in Utah during the 2021-2022 Theme Search Contest. We are so excited to share how student artists across the country and in U.S. schools abroad have chosen to express how they will change the world. The 200+ national student winners from this year will be announced May 1, so mark your calendars! 

The 2022-2023 Reflections program theme—Show Your Voice!—will launch in April. We thank Jason Yevin, from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York for submitting that theme idea during the 2022-2023 Theme Search Contest. You can learn more about the events that inspired his idea in this blog post. Stay tuned for the launch at PTA.org/Reflections and then look for more information from your participating state PTA. 

We encourage all Reflections supporters to help shape the future of the Reflections program by participating in the annual Theme Search Contest. One theme submission could inspire the nation! Visit your state PTA’s Reflections Program page to learn more.  

Sarah Scalet is the 2020-2022 National PTA Arts in Education Fellow. 

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National PTA Continues Celebration of “I Matter Because…” Reflections Artists

January 20, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad participate in the National PTA Reflections program. By creating opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, Reflections boosts student confidence and success, both in the arts and in life.   

In response to an annual student-selected theme, students can submit artwork in the categories of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. The program also offers the Special Artist Division, which recognizes students with disabilities who participate.  

As a tiered arts recognition program, student submissions can earn awards and prizes at the local, county, district, region levels. Winners from these levels then move on to the state PTA level. Finally, winning artworks from the state level proceed to the national level, where students can receive the Award of Merit, Award of Excellence, or the highest honor—the Outstanding Interpretation Award—for their artistic achievements.  

On Tuesday, Jan. 25, National PTA will host a Virtual Reflections Student Arts Showcase to continue to celebrate the over 200 national-level awardees from the 2020-2021 I Matter Because… program. As students and their creative talents are essential to the Reflections program, the event will feature more artwork and more students than ever before, with 22 student highlights! We are so excited to recognize all of our winners again and share the creative accomplishments of our featured artists with you.  

Top left – Anna Xie, Award of Merit in Visual Arts, Georgia
Top middle – Alea Garner, Award of Merit in Dance Choreography as a Special Artist, Utah
Top right – MaeLee Scoville, Award of Merit in Literature, Utah
Bottom left – Minjae Eum, Award of Excellence in Music Composition, Alabama
Bottom middle – Josh Devaney, Award of Excellence in Film Production, New Jersey
Bottom right – Trisha Shrestha, Award of Excellence in Dance Choreography, Washington

For a sense of the fun to come, we would like to introduce you to a selection of the featured students.  

Campbell Brown is a dancer from Russom Elementary PTA in Georgia. She won the Award of Merit for her Dance Choreography piece, “Shine Bright.” Dancing brings Campbell joy, and she likes to spread that positivity with others. In her own words, she explains, “I know that I matter because when I bring joy and happiness to others through my performance it makes the world a better place.”  

Tanishka Gupta won the Award of Merit for her poem, “I Matter to Me.” From Round Rock Senior High PTA in Texas, Tanishka shared that writing helps her express her ideas about sensitive subjects and “paint a picture with words.” The inspiration for her award-winning poem draws from the key points of individuality, self-worth, and uniqueness. Tanishka notes, “my true worth always has and always will lie inside me.”  

This year’s Reflections Student Arts Showcase will also highlight Boston Flake from Hobble Creek Elementary PTA in Utah, who won the Award of Merit for his music composition piece, “Bit Life.” (He also won an Award of Excellence during the I Matter Because… program for his literature piece, “I Can Do Anything!”) Boston, a blind DJ and music composer, has produced music for many years and performs in front of big crowds. He shared, “That is one way to show that I matter, by lifting others with my talents.” 

Want to hear from more talented student artists? Join the Reflections community and celebrate students’ creativity during the 2022 Virtual Reflections Student Arts Showcase at 7:00 PM EST, Tuesday, Jan. 25! The event will air on National PTA’s YouTube channel. RSVP in advance to receive free Reflections-inspired activities, including an interactive game to play along with us during the event.  

If you can’t wait until Jan. 25 to view artwork from inspiring student artists, visit this virtual collection, which features the 200+ national Reflections winners from the 2020-2021 I Matter Because… Reflections program. Take a moment to view these students’ remarkable creative achievements and feel free to leave a comment or two!  

We also invite you to learn more about the top seven I Matter Because… Outstanding Interpretation awardees by reading a recent blog post and watching the award video. Congratulations once again to the recipients of the Outstanding Interpretation award: Claire Moon, Johan Novak, Joshua Johnson, Maeryn Elizabeth Jacob, Mark Wagner, Sydney Ware and Zoe Caraballo. 

For more information about the Reflections program, please visit PTA.org/Reflections.  

Sarah Scalet is the National PTA Arts in Education Fellow. 

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Grant Continues to Advance Art Through PTAs Nationwide

September 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

For over 50 years, the National PTA Reflections arts program has provided opportunities for recognition and access to the arts for millions of students, thanks to the innovation of artist, PTA leader and founder Mary Lou Anderson. Reflections boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Anderson’s vision was to increase arts access among at-risk and underserved students and we are proud to offer the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant to help continue that goal. Through this opportunity, local PTAs demonstrate a commitment to providing new pathways for students to participate in the Reflections program and increase student access to high quality arts learning experiences.

We honored the commitment of two local PTAs with $1,000 for their dedication to increase access to high quality arts learning and increase the impact of their Reflections Program. Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA in California and Robinson High School PTSA in Florida were the 2020-2021 Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant recipients! Check out what these amazing PTAs did with their grant funds!

2020-2021 MLA Grantee Profile: Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA, Temecula, Calif.

With only one entry for their PTA Reflections program, Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA recognized the need to place more focus on getting students educated and excited about the arts. As a Title I school, with a culturally diverse student body, Pauba Valley Elementary PTA saw it their mission to match that diversity in how they present the arts, with a focus on positively impacting students from both at-risk and underserved families, to advance diversity in the arts, specifically in the Reflections program.

Despite the limitations from the COVID-19 pandemic, Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA wanted to bring the entire community together to support the arts. So, they planned and implemented a series of six virtual workshops that averaged over 200 participants per event. In the planning process, the PTA realized that many students were lacking supplies, so they purchased materials and assembled kits which were distributed via drive-through pickups. They also arranged for presenters through community partnerships, where applicable.

With grant funding, the PTA was able to cover costs that would have otherwise been unattainable. The events helped to inspire students to be creative through artistic expression and demonstrate and communicate the benefits of membership in PTA to the Pauba Valley Elementary School community. The last event focused on the arts as a career, providing inspiration and information about professions in the arts.

With an incredible total of 1,800 people impacted through the virtual events, the Pauba Valley Elementary PTA said the most memorable part was, “Seeing the excitement from the students. They were engaged and learning through our hands-on activities, and it was awesome to see the seeds being planted.”

Kathy Gonzales, vice president, Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA said that the events were incredibly successful and shared, “Even though we are not together on campus, these virtual events are giving our families a chance to connect with each other and have fun while doing it. We are so excited to offer these programs to our school community during these challenging times.”

2020-2021 MLA Grantee Profile: Robinson High School PTSA, Tampa, Fla.

In May, with support from the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant, Robinson High School PTSA hosted a spoken word poetry program. The event included a two-day workshop that culminated in the Spoken Word Poetry Jam. To foster student engagement, the PTSA partnered with the school media specialist and world languages department. In addition, they incorporated a local artist and spoken word poet. Seven students participated in the voluntary presentation portion of the Poetry Jam.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the program marked the school’s first in-person workshop that students could attend at school during the school year. The students, according to the PTSA, were extremely excited to attend the in-person event and many Robinson High School teachers allowed students to earn credit for attendance and participation.

The collaboration between the PTSA and teachers added value to the event. Inclusion was key to the event’s success. The PTSA sought to elevate student voices and give them some control over the program. Students also talked about gender and stereotypes through their artwork. All students were encouraging to one another and embraced each other’s different perspectives.

One student brought her mother and grandmother to the event. The PTSA shared, “The encouragement and love between the three generations of women was inspiring to witness.” The most memorable part of the program, according to the PTSA, was the Spoken Word Poetry Jam itself. The students were enthusiastic about participating and supported one another through the process. The students also demonstrated bravery and vulnerability as they worked through some of the stress this year has put upon them.

The Poetry Jam also served as a catalyst for students to learn about the upcoming school year’s Reflections program. The PTSA used a portion of the workshop to discuss the Reflections theme and brainstorm ideas for participation. The PTSA distributed student entry forms and captured the students’ information to jumpstart their program. Robinson High School PTSA plans to continue to work through the summer to ensure students are exposed to other Reflections arts categories. The PTSA identified this specific program because it provided students with an opportunity to express themselves in a safe environment. It also fostered an appreciation for writing and poetry to express and convey thoughts and emotions through art.

With half of the Robinson High School student population qualifying for free & reduced-price lunch under Title I, these grant dollars were extremely appreciated. When asked if they would consider running the program again, the PTSA shared, “Most definitely. Based on feedback alone, our students were excited and engaged and every single one wanted to do it again.”

Congratulations, once again, to Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA and Robinson High School PTSA!

If you are planning to host a 2021-2022 I Will Change the World By… Reflections program and are in need of funding to increase access and participation of at-risk and underserved students in arts programming, APPLY NOW!

Applications for the next round of Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement grants are now being accepted through Sept. 27 at PTA.org/Grants. Two local PTAs will be awarded $1,000 to administer student-centered programs that increase access to high quality arts learning experiences and new pathways for students to participate in National PTA’s Reflections program. 

We can’t wait to support and celebrate another successful year of Reflections with you!

Learn more about Reflections, Mary Lou Anderson and her legacy by visiting our ArtsEd page and Reflections Timeline.

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Congratulations, 2020-2021 National PTA Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winners!

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment

On May 1, National PTA announced the 2020-2021 Reflections winners for the student-selected theme I Matter Because…. Over 200 students from 38 State PTA Congresses earned national recognition for their creative accomplishments in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. The program also offers a Special Artist Division to recognize students with disabilities who participate. Seven remarkable students earned the National PTA Reflections program’s highest achievement: the Outstanding Interpretation Award. We are proud to recognize this year’s Outstanding Interpretation Award winners!

Mark Wagner – Special Artist – Dance Choreography
Dana Hills High School PTSA, California
Mark showed us the strength of his voice through his choreography piece titled “I Speak With My Dancing.” In his artist statement, Mark wrote, “I matter because I am different. I speak with my dancing.”

Mark has been dancing since he was five years old, and he practiced every week for two months to develop his Reflections submission. He is a fearless performer who loves to entertain big crowds with his creative movements. His mother, Mercedes, shared, “For him to achieve this award, in his Special Artist category, is truly an honor for him and our family.”

Sydney Ware – Dance Choreography
Dekalb School of the Arts PTSA, Georgia
Sydney’s creativity stood out with “In This Shirt,” her dance choreography piece. In her artist statement, Sydney explained, “The whole song is about being lost as an individual, so I used that as a way to represent that we all are lost sometimes. The video begins with the dancers describing why they matter.

The dance begins with them wearing shirts that say ‘Why Do I Matter?’. Throughout the dance they find themselves as individuals and have their own solo moments. They also change into their own individual
outfits, to express finding their individuality. ‘On the journey to finding yourself, there will always be reasons why you matter’.”

Sydney finds value in choreographing to express herself. She shared, “I really enjoyed working on this piece. At the time we had been in quarantine for six months, so I was really ready to put positive energy into something that I enjoyed doing.”

Zoe Caraballo – Film Production
Green Township PTA, New Jersey
Zoe’s film production “I Matter” exemplifies the student-selected Reflections theme. In her artist statement, she explained, “To matter, you have to choose to matter. Through my video, I explain how I can make a difference in the world through small acts and how you could matter too if you choose to.”

For Zoe, art is “an opportunity to spread my message about serious topics in the world in an eye-catching way.” In this film, which includes an immersive Minecraft-inspired scene, she combined her passions for poetry and film production.

Joshua Johnson – Literature
Bennion Junior High PTSA, Utah
Joshua wrote a powerful poem titled “The Voice In My Head.” In his artist statement, he explained the piece’s context: “2020 has been unbelievably challenging for many people, including me. With the physical, emotional, mental, financial, academic, political, and social challenges we’ve all faced this year, I wanted to write a poem that expressed the feelings and experiences I have had and I have heard. I believe I matter because I can do hard things. I am becoming a better person, a better student, a better
family member, and a better member of our society because of the things I am learning by being resilient.

Because I know I matter, I believe I help other people know they matter.”
Though Joshua typically sources inspiration for his poems based on what is in his head and heart, this poem comes straight from his heart. He shared that the poem “was really personal to me. It was my attempt to articulate everything I had been feeling about [last] year.”

Johan Novak – Music Composition
Odle Middle School PTSA, Washington
Johan’s moving musical composition piece, titled “Legacy,” expresses the power of individual influence. In his artist statement, he shared, “Last summer, our dear family friend with cancer spent her final days in
hospice care in our home. She was a phenomenal musician, my music teacher, and most of all my friend.

She left me her legacy of music and love, and inspired me to write this song. In her death, I saw how precious life is. We take so many things for granted and forget that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I matter because I create a legacy with each day I have. I can make the world a better place and honor those who gave me so much.”

Like so many, Johan has found joy through art. He shared, “Writing my Reflections song helped me express my feelings, and I hope that my music has personal meaning to you. I write music to express my feelings and because it makes me happy.”

Maeryn Elizabeth Jacob – Photography
Lawton Chiles Middle School PTSA, Florida
Maeryn’s photograph demonstrates her power to change the world. In her artist statement, Maeryn explained, “I matter because I fight for my beliefs. Though I am young I believe I can still have a big impact on the world. This world is suffering, and we need to do everything we can to help undo the things we have done. As a part of the upcoming generation, who will need to fix our world so that the next generations after us, still have a place to live.”

Photography allows Maeryn to share her perspective on the world with others. With her Young Artist Scholarship, Maeryn plans to save most of the winning money – but she also wants to get a hamster with some of it!

Claire Moon – Visual Arts
Rachel Carson Middle School PTA, Virginia
Claire’s intricate visual arts piece is titled “My Pieces of Quilt.” She explained her inspiration in her artist statement, writing, “I thought of pieces someone needs during their journey to potential success, so I thought of paper, which represents the pieces in a story. In this artwork, I incorporated states of paper, including signs of where we face failure, so we give up, crumple, and tear up what we initially had in mind,
but also the remarkable achievements that we pin and clip to stay flexible and fold it into an impacting lesson. Therefore, I matter because by taping the achievements and failures, I can string together the hardships I face to grow my identity into a developing masterpiece.”

Now in middle school, Claire has participated in the Reflections program since she was a third grader. She shared, “I enjoy [Reflections] because it helps me reflect on what’s happening around me and to
figure out what I’ve learned.”

Congratulations to our Outstanding Interpretation winners: Mark Wagner, Sydney Ware, Zoe Caraballo, Joshua Johnson, Johan Novak, Maeryn Elizabeth Jacob, and Claire Moon! We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the virtual PTA Convention & Expo and throughout the year.

We are also so inspired by all the “I Matter Because…” awardees. Please visit PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards to find the official Reflections awards announcement , the complete list of student winners, and our
Virtual Exhibit of student works. Stay connected to National PTA on social media (@NationalPTA and PTAReflections) as we continue to recognize and celebrate student talents throughout the year.

Sarah Scalet, National PTA’s Arts in Education Fellow

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National PTA Celebrates Look Within Reflections Artists

February 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment

For over fifty years, the National PTA Reflections program has provided opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. The arts program honors student creativity through six Reflections categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. 

In response to an annual theme, thousands of students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad submit artwork and can be recognized with awards and prizes at the local, county, district, region and then state PTA levels. Just over 200 students are recognized at a national level for their artistic achievements in the arts each year.   

At the national level, students can earn an Award of Merit, Award of Excellence, or Outstanding Interpretation Award. Each year, National PTA typically honors the national winners and their artwork with in-person events—including the Student Arts Showcase at the U.S. Department of Education. This year, due to COVID-19, National PTA hosted its first-ever Virtual Reflections Student Arts Showcase.  

Held January 26, the digital event brought Reflections supporters together to celebrate the national winners from the 2019-2020 Look Within program. The Showcase featured one national winner from each Reflections category and our Special Artist Division.

Representing the Dance Choreography category, Jacob Valadez kicked off the featured student artist performances. Jacob’s dance, “Look Within Yourself Be Unstoppable,” expresses the value of personal strength. Although life can be hard, Jacob demonstrates that everyone can be unstoppable by looking within and never giving up. We are grateful he shared this powerful sentiment with us. 

After Jacob, we enjoyed Matthew Bang’s visual arts piece, “I Realize and Recognize.” As the featured Special Artist, Matthew’s painting depicts his family’s Korean heritage and his own identity as a Korean American. Matthew shared, “Art is a form of expression. It allows me to convey emotions that are too difficult to express in words alone.” His detailed visual arts piece beautifully communicates a vast depth of meaning! 

Jiya Bhavsar wowed us with “Struggling Within Me.” Through her piano performance, Jiya represented the music composition category and showcased the power of perseverance. She explained, “I look within when I feel like ‘I give up’ and then I say, ‘Try again.’” We are all inspired by Jiya’s tenacity. 

As the featured artist for the photography category, Barbara Exilus’s photograph “Look Within” depicts the pressure that many young people feel when trying to achieve unrealistic beauty standards and social norms. Barbara shared, “I want my artwork to speak and touch people in any way it can.” Barbara truly conveyed a compelling message through her photograph. 

Melissa Qiu, the featured artist for the literature category, impressed with her poem, “Breaking the Silence and Filling the Minds.” Her writing details the beauty of the zither, which, Melissa shares is a “a very magical and traditional musical instrument because it has allowed me to look within myself and my Chinese culture.” We appreciate Melissa’s creative use of language to bridge musicmaking and her ancestral heritage.  

As the representative of the Visual Arts category, Katie Ross Nelson shared her wearable sculpture. Meticulously constructed, “The Swan” dress showcases fashion as a means of self-expression. Katie found inspiration from actor Billy Porter, who, by wearing a dress to the 2019 Oscars, “flipped the stereotype and made the dress a symbol of inner strength.” Thank you, Katie, for sharing your compelling work of art with us. 

The last featured artist, Dayton Kress, closed out the show with his film production. Titled “Within Us All,” Dayton demonstrates the power of compassion. He shared, “It is important to understand that we can all lift each other up in times of need. We all go through things, and sometimes we just need a little support along the way.” Dayton’s film shares a timeless message—be kind to one another!  

As our hosts for the evening, Leslie Boggs, National PTA President, and Nathan R. Monell, CAE, Executive Director of National PTA, expressed the value of the arts in a student’s education—especially in the era of COVID-19. Bonnie Carter, the Group Leader of Arts in Education Programs for the U.S. Department of Education, shared a congratulatory message to all Reflections participants. The Department of Education is a valuable supporter of the Reflections program, and we thank Bonnie for joining us virtually!

Our celebration of the arts continues with a virtual exhibit featuring the 200+ national Reflections winners from the 2019-2020 program. Take a moment to view the remarkable creative achievements of our program participants, ranging from detailed paintings in the visual arts category to graceful dance choreography movements. The artwork may encourage you to Look Within!  

Visit PTA.org/Reflections to learn more about Reflections and share your artwork with @NationalPTA using #PTAReflections. Missed the Showcase? Find the full program on National PTA’s YouTube channel. 

Sarah Scalet is the National PTA arts in education fellow. 

Collection: 2019-2020 Look Within National PTA Reflections Award Recipients (flickr.com)

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