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 2014-2015 school year, Reflections students shared their artistic interpretations on the theme “The World Would Be a Better Place If…”
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.
Dance Choreography
Outstanding Interpretation in Dance Choreography –
“The World Would Be a Better Place If everyone Was True to Themselves” by Madison Duellman
“When [my friends and I] heard the song “Try” by Colbie Caillat, I was inspired to create a dance about being yourself and not trying to be something you are not. We all feel that if we could dress, look, and be ourselves, we would be happier and if everyone did that, the world would be a better place.” – Madison Duellman
View all of the national award winning dance choreography submissions.
Film Production
Outstanding Interpretation in Film Production –
“Masks” by Jacqueline Fashimpaur
“I always noticed that people act differently around others then they do in private. Even Ida Shel Silverstein wrote a poem comparing this phenomenon to wearing masks, and I thought it was a great metaphor. This film shows how “wearing a mask” can lead people to be isolated and lonely. I think that if people felt free to be themselves, there would be more friendship and understanding between people, and the world would be a better place. Hopefully this film inspires some change in that direction.” – Jacqueline Fashimpaur
View all national award winning film production submissions.
Literature
Outstanding Interpretation in Literature –
“The World Would Be a Better Place…” by Sarah Murphy
“The world would be better if hatred, jealousy, war, and disease were eliminated. Focusing on the negative makes life harder. The world has flaws and sadness but we must also see the good to appreciate what we have. I used alliteration in the beginning to show anger and agitation when talking about the “bad” things. The second part has no alliteration to convey accepting the good with the bad. The spacing emphasizes the meaning. The “negatives” are on the left side, the contrasting feelings are on the right. The conclusion is in the middle to combine the two.” – Sarah Murphy
View all national award winning literature submissions.
Music Composition
Outstanding Interpretation in Music Composition –
“It’d Be Better” by Fritz Hager
“This song [It’d be Better] focuses on the greed that is in the world. My song states that the world would be a better place if we all gave more than we received, and showed love through our giving.” – Fritz Hager
Check out all national award winning music composition submissions. Video coming soon!
Photography
Outstanding Interpretation in Photography –
“Determination” by Cesily Covey
“My artwork illustrates my belief that everyone should receive an equal opportunity and equal exposure to the culture around us. Regardless of where we come from, we all come from one planet and that everyone deserves equal access to education and global culture so we can all unite not under the name of a country, but under Earth.” – Cesily Covey
View all national award winning photography submissions.
Visual Arts
Outstanding Interpretation in Visual Arts –
“Unity” by Catherine Park
“My artwork illustrates my belief that everyone should receive an equal opportunity and equal exposure to the culture around us. Regardless of where we come from, we all come from one planet and that everyone deserves equal access to education and global culture so we can all unite not under the name of a country, but under Earth.” – Catherine Park
View all national award winning visual arts submissions.
Special Artist
Outstanding Interpretation in Special Artist Division –
“Everything Will be Ok I’ll Just Stay” by Maria Quiles
“Giving someone a hurtful nickname, making fun of their medical conditions, claiming you’re their true friends and during all this feeling like not even family cares. Having it lead you fell as well, there is no other choice, suicide is the only possible answer for all this to just end. To ignore these problems, bullies, and this non-stop hurtful pain deep inside. Well no, it’s not. Believe in yourself instead! To continue staying strong, ignore those bullies, those that have no idea what they are even talking about or what your’re truly going through. Tell yourself ‘Everything Will Be OK’.” – Maria Quiles
Learn more about the Special Artist Division for students with disability.