Each year, the PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create a piece of artwork inspired by a specific theme. The 2009-2010 theme is “Beauty is…”

Students can participate in the Reflections Program by submitting in an entry to a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) or a PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association). There are six different genres of art to choose from to enter the competition: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts. The deadline for submitting entries is October 30.

Sophomore Jackie Millett, 2008 Visual Arts Reflections winner, plans to join the event this year as her second time as a visual arts contestant.

“If I find out a good base then I will probably join this year,” Millett said. “I did visual arts last year and my painting was a red eye tree frog , it was acrylic on shaving cream.”

Parent’s involvement and their support are extremely important toward the student activity. Guardians must remember the participator’s artwork needs to be responsible for their own talents.

“Mom thought it was great that I won, since she won her first award when she was six,” Millett said. “She kept on asking on when I will receive my award, I was called down to the office and I got a gift certificate to Chili’s.

According to Fine Arts Head Department, David Mason, award winners rather receive money instead of ribbons or certificates.

“Kids usually don’t like it, it’s not monetary,” Mr. Mason said. “Prizes are ribbons, certificates and recognition of your piece of art.”

Entering the contest not only gives the artist ability to win, however it also gives a chance to inherit scholarships but this only applies to seniors.

Millett is not the only one who plans to enter the contest this year. Senior Erin Davis will most likely join by a digital photoshop picture. She is confident about her talent and wants to take advantage to obtain a scholarship.

“I understand it is not a huge competition, but it is a competition to get my name out there and my art to be recognized,” Davis said.

Davis finds beauty where most people wouldn’t; she finds something that is ridiculously non-cliché.

“Beauty is found in the most horrific place,” Davis said. “Finding beauty is something that is ugly.”

Although opinions vary, Millett believes art can be described as anything, no matter what the subject is.

“Whether it is a line or walking funny,” Millet said.” Anything can be art.”