Six Students Nationally Recognized for Arts Achievement
More than half-a-million kids participate in PTA national arts program
CHICAGO (May 14, 2008) —The national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) today announced six students as recipients of the national Reflections Program Outstanding Interpretation Award—recognizing the best-of-the-best in six arts categories. PTA’s Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the country to explore their artistic talents for fun and recognition for nearly 40 years.
The national PTA organization will also recognize 64 students with Awards of Excellence and 103 students with Awards of Merit across four grade divisions—primary, intermediate, middle/junior, and senior—and six arts categories—dance choreography, film/video production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts. One national Outstanding Interpretation Award winner is chosen from among all the Award of Excellence recipients in each arts area, regardless of grade division. The national Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients demonstrated the most creative interpretations of this year’s theme, “I can make a difference by...”
PTA will present cash awards of $800 to the Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients and cash awards of $200 to their local PTAs. In addition, the award recipients will be recognized during a special ceremony at the 112th Annual PTA National Convention and Exhibition (June 20–June 23) in San Diego. All the national award–winning pieces will be featured in a virtual gallery in July; however, the complete list of winners is currently available on PTA’s website.
Professionals from well-respected institutions, including the National Assembly of States Arts Agencies, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Cable in the Classroom , Howard University, College of Arts and Sciences, DC Youth Orchestra, National Geographic Society, and National Children's Museum, volunteered to judge close to 1,000 art pieces which reached the national level of judging.
The national Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients are:
- Outstanding Interpretation for Dance Choreography
“Treating All People Equally” Rachel Kessinger, Grade 7
Jackson Heights Middle School PTSA Oviedo, Fla. - Outstanding Interpretation for Film/Video Production
“An Influential Language” Elizabeth Breazile, Grade 12
Stony Point High School PTSA Round Rock, Texas - Outstanding Interpretation for Literature
“Penny Dishes” Daniel Ewert, Grade 12
Germantown High School PTA Germantown, Wis. - Outstanding Interpretation for Musical Composition
“You Can Make a Difference” Jordan Kamalu, Grade 12
Davis High School PTA Kaysville, Utah - Outstanding Interpretation for Photography
“I Can Make a Difference by Changing My Perspective” Kate Hehmann, Grade 10
Union Intermediate High School PTSA Broken Arrow, Okla. - Outstanding Interpretation for Visual Arts
“I can make a difference by making global warming vanish” Hansub Kim, Grade 2
Wonderland Avenue PTA Los Angeles, Calif.
About the Reflections Program
In its nearly 40-year history, the PTA Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. PTA believes that all 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 more than 5 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.
