By Krista Carlson, Bethel School District

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and a Washington State PTA cultural arts competition designed for students to use their creative talents to express themselves through their own original works.  Entries are judged on artistic merit, creative ability, and interpretation of the theme, recognizing a wide variety of styles.  Students may interpret the 2012-2013 theme – The Magic of a Moment – in any way they feel appropriate.  The theme must be reflected in the work and should be used in the title or subtitle of the entry.  Categories of participation include:

Literature: works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, theatre, short stories and lyrics

Music Composition: original musical composition, with or without words

Photography: prints up to 11 x 14 inches in color or black & white, including techniques: photogram, retouched, montage, sandwich & multiple exposure

Visual Arts: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling

Film/Video: original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental, or music video/film

Choreography/Dance: originally choreographed dance composition

Participation in Reflections is organized by student age and grade levels with works critiqued against others in the same grade division.  This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels.  This year National PTA is launching a fifth division of the Reflections program – the Special Artist Division – in addition to the traditional divisions: Primary: Preschool – Grade 2; Intermediate: Grades 3 – 5; Middle/Junior: Grades 6 – 8; and Senior: Grades 9 – 12.  The Special Artist Division is a non-graded division limited to students whose physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges meet the guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act.  Information packets, rules, guidelines, and entry forms have been distributed to each local unit.  You may also find all the information you need at the Washington state PTA Website located at http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/Reflections/index.html.  Check with the PTA/PTSA in your school for judging deadlines.  Winning building level entries must be sent on to district level competition by early December.  To be considered in the state and national judging, Bethel Area Council will send entries to the state chairman in January.