PTA Awards Students for National Achievement in the Arts

More than half-a-million kids participate in national arts program

CHICAGO (April 30, 2007) —The national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) today announced six students as recipients of the national Reflections Program Outstanding Interpretation Award-considered the best-of-the-best in six art categories. PTA's Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the country to explore their artistic talents for recognition for more than 30 years.

In addition, national PTA will recognize 66 students with Awards of Excellence and 102 students with Awards of Merit which are presented in each grade division in each art area. One national Outstanding Interpretation Award winner is chosen from among the Awards of Excellence. The national Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients demonstrated the most creative interpretations of this year's theme, "My Favorite Place."

PTA will present $800 cash awards to the Outstanding Award recipients and $200 cash awards to their local PTA. They will be recognized during a special ceremony at the 111th Annual PTA National Convention and Exhibition (June 28 - July 1) in St. Louis. All of the creative pieces will be featured in a virtual gallery in July, however, a complete list of all award winners is currently available on PTA's website.

Professionals from well-respected institutions, including National Geographic, Americans for the Arts, the Smithsonian, the National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization and the National Children's Museum volunteered to judge the more than 1,000 art pieces.

The award recipients are:

• Outstanding Interpretation for Literature
  "My Favorite Places: Where I Long to Be and Remember Being"
  Kameel Mir, Grade 8
  Dickerson Middle School PTSA
  Marietta, GA
• Outstanding Interpretation for Musical Composition
  "Adventure in Yosemite"
  Sarah Sukardi, Grade 5
  Eastshore PTA
  Irvine, CA
• Outstanding Interpretation for Photography
  "My Favorite Place Is In My Spinning Dress!"
  Isabel Gerondelis, Grade 1
  Oak Grove Elementary PTA
  Atlanta, GA
• Outstanding Interpretation for Visual Arts
  "Mountain view of a sunset"
  Jonathan Cook, Grade 8
  Cache Secondary Council PTA
  Hyrum, UT
• Outstanding Interpretation for Dance Choreography (new category)
  "Hide and Seek "
  Kelley Young, Grade 8
  River Trail Middle School PTA
  Duluth, GA
• Outstanding Interpretation for Film/Video Production (new category)
  Untitled
  Matthew Gorbachov, Grade 11
  Lassiter High School PTSA
  Marietta, GA

About the Reflections Program
In its more than 30-year history, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. PTA believes all that children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six areas: literature, dance choreography, film/video production, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage).

About PTA
PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.