Parent-Teacher Association president Sheri St.John approaches the cookie table. Striking up conversation with another PTA member, they begin to discuss the PTA reflections contest. Mrs. St.John feels excited about the contest and the opportunity it presents to students. 

“I think it [the contest] is wonderful,” Mrs. St.John said. “It gives great students with creative minds a chance to succeed.”

The PTA Reflections Contest compares the original artistic works of students in six different categories over a common theme each year. The six categories include dance choreography, musical composition, film production, photography, literature and visual arts.

“I hope students will participate,” Mrs. St.John said. “Hopefully they can go to state, then nationals and maybe even win.”

Each work must be created by only one student, must include a title and should also have a written artistic statement. This statement must not exceed 250 words or 1,000 characters. Adults or other students may not collaborate or alter any work by a student.

“I’m pretty nervous,” junior art student Patrick Henson said. “This will be my first time entering the contest, but the theme is very interesting.”

This year’s contest theme encompasses the topic of “Diversity Means”. The PTA asks students to ponder the theme and create a work based on what they feel. They then split student’s creations based on grade. Members of the PTA judge the art over artistic merit, creativity, mastery of the medium and interpretation of the theme.

“I’m pretty excited, pretty pumped,” Henson said. “I’m entering in the Drawing [Visual Arts] category, and I hope I can at least place.”

December 1 marks the deadline for MISD entries in the Reflections Contest. Students must fill out an entry form to participate. Awards for reaching the national level of the contest include an $800 arts education awards, $200 cash awards, gold and silver medals, certificates and more. The PTA encourages every student to enter into the contest and hopes students really get into the meaning of the theme.

“I think they [the students] are winners,” Mrs. St.John said. “ We have creative minds in our school, and this gives them a chance to show it.”