PTA State Reflections Winners

Twelve Spring Branch ISD students received recognition recently for their State PTA Reflections Contest submissions under this year’s theme, “The Magic of the Moment.” Across Texas, more than 107,000 student entries were submitted to district reflections contests; only 1,054 entries made it to the state level. SBISD had 32 separate student entries.

The PTA Reflections competition is a long-standing art competition sponsored by the National PTA. Students in preschool through grade 12 may create and submit original works of art in six different categories including dance choreography, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. Student entries are judged in five separate categories: primary category (preschool-grade 2); intermediate category (grades 3-5); middle school category (grades 6-8); senior category (grades 9-12); and a special artist’s category (ungraded).

Students that earn recognition for their submissions are given one of three awards – Honorable Mention, Award of Merit, or the Overall Award of Excellence. Of the 12 state recognized students, three received the highest level of recognition, which qualifies their pieces for National PTA Reflections judging. 

One national qualifier, Stratford High senior Evan Moore, also earned the “Outstanding Interpretation” award for his submitted film, “The Magician.” The “Outstanding Interpretation,” award is given to one submitted film production around the state for their interpretation of this year’s theme. Moore told reporters, “My approach this year was to think outside of the box and go for a more comical perspective in order to portray the theme. I am glad it paid off.”  

Visit the Guthrie Center website for additional information.

The other two National qualifiers were Wilchester Elementary student Emma Dunwoody, who received the “Overall Award of Excellence” for a visual arts piece, and Stratford High student Joshua Goldsberry who received the top award for a musical composition entry.

All state award winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Austin later this summer.

PTA State Reflection Winners:

Primary Level:

Honorable Mention:
Maura Hoffman- Visual Arts, Nottingham Elementary

Award of Merit:
Kenneth Owen-Photography, Wilchester Elementary

Overall Award of Excellence:
Emma Dunwoody-Visual Arts, Wilchester Elementary

Intermediate Level:

Honorable Mention:
Alex Lasater-Photography, Wichester Elementary

Award of Merit:
Sara Duvall-Visual Arts, Nottingham Elementary
Tristan Smith-Literature, Nottingham Elementary

Senior Level:

Honorable Mention:
Emily Lindsey-Literature, Stratford High

Award of Merit:
Anna Lai-Visual Arts, Memorial High
Sami Palermo-Photography, Memorial High
Christopher Ramey-Musical Composition, Stratford High

Overall Award of Excellence:
Evan Moore-Film Production, Stratford High

Special Artists:

Overall Award of Excellence:
Joshua Goldberry-Musical Composition, Stratford High

-- Communications Dept. Intern Kali Venable compiled this report.