The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme.

The 2009/2010 Theme is “Beauty is…”

The Reflections Program was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson. Since that time, more than 10 million students have participated in the program. The program's longevity and participation figures attest to its strength. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools and communities is unmatched.

Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme. 

Grade Divisions

The art entry from you child at Sunset will fall within two categories:

• Primary (preschool – grade 2)

• Intermediate (grades 3 – 5)

These are the same categories used at the state and national levels.

Arts Categories and Rules

Students can participate by interpreting the theme “Beauty is…” in any of the following arts areas.  Click on the links to open the individual files to view the detailed rules.

• Dance Choreography

• Literature

• Music

• Visual Arts

• Film Production

• Photography

• General Student Participation Rules
• Student Entry Form

Judging

All national entries are judged on

• artistic merit/ creativity (5 points),

• mastery of the medium (3 points), and

• interpretation of the theme (2 points).

Mastery of the medium in the context of the national Reflections Program pertains to the level of skill the student demonstrates in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area. However, a well-developed concept is more important than technique. Entries will be judged primarily on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme. Tie breakers will be based on who interpreted the theme the best. 

The judges will be individuals from the community (not associated with the school), who have knowledge and understanding of the category he/she is judging.  It will be a blind judging, so the judges will not know the names of the art they are judging.

Recognitions

Reflections is a progressive program.  Your student’s work is first reviewed at the school PTA level. Selected entries are elevated to the state PTA level and then the state sends their selections on to the National PTA level where the art work is judged against students from all 50 states.  But don’t worry, you only need to submit your entry by Sunset’s deadline, and we at the PTA will take care of the rest.

An awards ceremony will be held in December to recognize all of the contributions to the program.  The winners from each category will be forwarded (by the PTA) to the Florida State PTA competition. The artwork will be held by the PTA to display at the winter PTA meeting, then returned to the students.  The art that is forwarded will be returned at a later time.

Winners from last year's Reflections event (Theme: Wow!)

Ella Jade Saum

Excellence

Visual Arts - Primary Division (pre-k through 2nd)

Palm City Elementary PTA

Martin County

Chad N. Lopez

Excellence

Visual Arts - Intermediate Division (3rd - 5th grade)

Lake Myrtle Elementary PTA

Pasco County