REFLECTIONS 2024-2025

Congratulations to the below Clark High School students who received the following awards for their 2024-2025 entries.

 

At Clark the students earn high end art supplies prizes, ribbons and certificates for continuing their spirit of participation in the PTSA sponsored event.

 

Please encourage your children to participate. See below for next year's theme.

 

 

 

The 2024-2025 Accepting Imperfection Theme

was suggested by a Texas student from Barbara Bush Middle School PTA in North East ISD! We are super excited for Paige and were excited to see how our Texas students interpreted her theme!

 

Paige had this to say about what inspired her to suggest this theme; “I feel like Accepting Imperfection is especially relevant today with what we are exposed to through technology. I think we all need to take a step back and remember that imperfection is beautiful. (This theme is) a reminder to myself that mistakes are welcome because they are a part of being human. Our flaws are as much a part of us as our strengths, so being imperfect should be perfect enough for us.” Congratulations once again to Paige Opaska!

 

2025-2026 Reflections theme:

 

Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

 

With positive recognition as the focus of this program, rather than competition, students of all ages and abilities can experience the benefits of creative expression and help in finding their own voice in telling their unique story.

 

Started in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, then Colorado PTA President, Reflections has grown to be one of the largest nationwide programs of its kind, with more than 200,000 students participating annually.

 

Categories Include:

 

Dance Choreography

Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite on entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Flash or disk inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Film Production

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, director, editor and producer. If student chooses to appear in film, a tripod and remote may be used. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Flash or disk inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Literature

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, drama, reflective essay, narrative and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted format: Single-sided on 8 ½x11” paper. Packaging: 1 copy of literature inside folder with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Musical Composition

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WAV. Printed Notation: Required for middle and high school divisions - score, tabulature or written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how your music was created (100 words or less). Packaging: Flash or disk inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Photography

Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited; see above for Copyright exceptions. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. Packaging: attach student entry form to back with sheet protector.

 

Visual Arts

ccepted forms of visual art include: original print, drawing, painting, collage (cut and pasted materials such as clippings and photos), metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork. Frames and artwork containing loose materials are not accepted. Matting is accepted. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Paper entries should be mounted on sturdy material.*Printed: attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. Cover front of artwork with butcher (or like) paper, securing it along one edge to the back of artwork without covering form and draping over front. Do not wrap in plastic or laminate entry. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. *Note these guidelines are specific to Texas PTA. While other states are incorporating additional 3D art mediums, Texas PTA has made the decision to only accept 2D Visual Arts entries.

 

Accessible Arts Division

Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. The Accessible Arts Division welcomes all grades and all abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Accessible Arts Division.

 

Reflections is always a PTA Member benefit!

The student or at least one person from their primary household must be a current member of the Local PTA/PTSA where the student is participating. Each Local PTA/PTSA may determine a date by which the member must join.

 

Entry Forms and Rules:

Students should download the Program Rules to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form.

 

Student Program Rules Packet (updated 2025-26 rules will be provided later in 2025)	English | Spanish
Student Entry Form (updated 2025-26 entry form will be provided later in 2025)	English | Spanish

 

Find out more at:

https://www.txpta.org/reflections

 

Visit the 2023-2024 Reflections Gallery to see examples of entries from that year. Please note: the 2024-2025 Reflections Gallery will be linked as soon as it is available.

 

Please contact the Reflections Chair at reflections@clarkptsa.org with additional questions.

 

2026-2027 THEME search!

Thank you to all students who participated in the National PTA Reflections program theme search! With 550 theme suggestions, it was very difficult to decide on which five themes to send to National PTA. Without further ado, congratulations to the five students selected to represent Texas PTA at national-level judging. National PTA will select one exceptional theme from the nationwide search to inspire creativity for the 2026-2027 PTA Reflections program. The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 and his or her theme will be announced by National PTA in February 2025. Good luck to Alyssa, Edward & Marsali!

Texas PTA Theme Search Finalists

Moments That Matter
Suggested by Alyssa Jiang
Cinco Ranch High School, Katy ISD

 

Infinite Possibilities
Suggested by Edward LoCicero
Memorial High School, Frisco ISD

 

Ripples of Kindness
Suggested by Edward LoCicero
Memorial High School, Frisco ISD

 

The Power of Perspective
Suggested by Edward LoCicero
Memorial High School, Frisco ISD

 

Ignite Your Imagination
Suggested by Marsali Soonpaa
Hutchinson Middle School, Lubbock ISD

 

Start dreaming up the 2027-2028 THEME!

Reflections Theme Search Entry Form – Deadline to submit themes is November 5, 2025!

 

When suggesting a theme, judges take into consideration:

 

• Theme is unique, inspiring and unlike past program themes.
• Theme is focused without being too narrow or too broad.
• Theme is clear, concise and appropriate for all grade levels.
• Theme is applicable to all arts categories.
• Theme promotes PTA values.
• Theme is relevant in 2 years.
• Past themes and duplicate entries are not considered.

 

Reflections Theme Search Flier (PDF) English l Spanish

Past Reflections Program Themes (PDF) English l Spanish

 

REFLECTIONS 2023-2024

2023-2024 Reflections Theme:

 

"I am Hopeful Because..."

 Submitted by Alice Meko, from Hampton Cove Elementary PTA in Alabama

The entry submission deadline was supposed to be mid-November 2023. However we did not have a person/people to fill the PTSA Reflections Chair or the VP of Arts in Education positions early enough in the school year to fully manage the 2023-2024 Reflections Program.

 

2022-2023 Reflections Theme:

"Show Your Voice!"

 Submitted by Jason Yevin, from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York

 

REFLECTIONS 2021-2022

2021-2022 Reflections Theme:

 

"I Will Change the World By..."

 submitted by Lydia Keel from Utah State PTA

 

2021-2022 CLARK, DISTRICT AND STATE AWARDS REFLECTIONS RESULTS

Please join us in congratulating the following students, who were honored and awarded at the Council Celebration on May 3:

 

Anjalika Kumar for her Literature titled “Every Single Day”: CLARK - Award of Excellence in Literature, COUNCIL - Honorable Mention in Literature

 

Blake Kitowicz for his Photo titled: “Bee Polinating”: CLARK - Award of Excellence in Photography, COUNCIL - Overall Award of Excellence in Photography, STATE - Award of Merit in Photography

 

Alyssa Fuscardo for her Artwork titled: “Universal Language": CLARK - Award of Excellence in Visual Arts, COUNCIL - Honorable Mention in Visual Arts

 

Ava Koehne for her Artwork titled: "Individuality": CLARK - Award of Excellence in Visual Arts, COUNCIL - Honorable Mention in Visual Arts

 

John Yu for his Artwork titled: "I Will Change the World By Growing Life": CLARK - Award of Excellence in Visual Arts, COUNCIL - Overall Award of Excellence in Visual Arts, STATE - Award of Merit in Visual Arts

 

We are so proud of their accomplishments! Their art is on display now on the PISD Council of PTAs Reflections Celebration webpage. On that webpage, there are 6 Reflections category boxes that link to the specific Reflections category pages. Where awarded entries are uploaded. Please note: some of the awarded Visual Art and Photography entries may not be uploaded, yet, depending on if the local Reflections Chair has provided a photo, for uploading, their Council awarded entries…

 

2021-2022 CLARK AND DISTRICT REFLECTIONS RESULTS