By Lori BODNAR, intern

Each year, hundreds of Glendale Unified School District students from pre-K through grade 12 unleash their inner artist and create, then submit, original works of art in one or all categories in the PTA Reflections program. Reflections is a national program that is administered by each local PTA (Parent Teacher Association) or PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association). This year was the 50th anniversary of the program. The different arts categories in Reflections are dance choreography, literature, film production, music composition, photography and visual arts. In addition, there are four age categories: primary (pre-K to second grade), intermediate (third through fifth grade), middle (sixth throuh eighth grade), and high school (ninth through 12th grade). Each year, the artwork reflects a central theme that is incorporated into the submitted pieces. This year’s theme was “Heroes Around Me.”

Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson developed the program 50 years ago to encourage the artistic creativity of students. Since then, over 10 million students have participated in the PTA Reflections program.

At Mountain Avenue Elementary School, over 50 entries were submitted for the different art categories.

“Reflections gives us a way to honor the talents of our students,” said Jacklyn Scott, principal of Mountain Avenue.

Kumi Hakushi is a PTA volunteer chair for Reflections at Mountain Avenue.

“We can see the talents of the young kids [in this artwork],” Hakushi said. “Reflections is inspirational and shows the hidden talent of the children. I keep thinking of ways to get people to participate in Reflections. One step for me is to encourage the parents to motivate and encourage the kids to do Reflections.”

Students who won first place in their category and age division received a trophy and an art-related prize. Second and third place winners received medals. All of the photography, art, and literature entries were on display for the school to see. The winning entries for the dance choreography, film production and music composition categories were presented at a special Reflections program award ceremony in the evening on Nov. 1.

In the primary dance choreography arts category, Suzanna Bodnar (second grade) won in her category. In film production, Zachary Yang won first place in the primary age level while Joshua Yang won first place for the intermediate age level.

In the literature arts category and primary age level, Vivek Arunachalam placed third, Maya Manchikatla took second place, and Bodnar won. At the intermediate age level, Ved Kartik took second place, and Valentina Lum won. At the middle school age level, Sabrina Cullen (sixth grade) won.

In the music composition arts category for primary age level, Nash Dziurgot took third place, Lucas Taillandier placed second and William Shin took the win. In the intermediate age level, Mark Shin placed third, Camila Ramirez placed second and Joshua Yang took home the first place prize. For the middle school age level, Skyler Liggett (sixth grade) won.

In the intermediate age level Matt Blood won.

In the visual arts category, in primary age level, Maya Manchikatla took third place, Bodnar placed second, and Daisy Kim won first place. In the intermediate age level, Sylvie Shoffner earned honorable mention, Cora Dziurgot placed third, Gloria Ansari placed second, and Mark Shin took the win. In the middle school age category, Sophia Hovhannisyan placed third, and Valen Aznavorian took both second place and first place.

“I liked Reflections a lot,” said kindergartener Maya Manchikatla. “I liked winning a medal, seeing people and seeing a picture of my dog sculpture that was shown at the Reflections ceremony.”

Bodnar added, “Reflections was really great! I liked seeing my art up on display, and looking at everybody else’s art, too. It was wonderful to make art and win trophies and medals.”

Many students said that Reflections is a fun way for kids to showcase their talent and explore their artistic abilities across a wide range of categories. The first place winners from each age division of the six different arts categories will move on to compete at the district level. Those who win at the district level can compete at state level, and Reflections winners at the state level can move on further to compete nationally.

Parents are not allowed to assist or alter the creative art process; the entire entry must be the student’s own work.

  Lori BODNAR