Out of more than 1,000 entries from across the state, nine Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students have been honored by the Washington State PTA (WSPTA) for achievement in this year’s PTA Reflections Arts in Education program. Four of these entries were advanced to the National PTA, where nearly 300,000 entries were received from across the United States.

These awards honor each student’s imagination, creativity and interpretation of the theme “The World Would Be a Better Place If…”

“We congratulate all of the students who participated this year. As always, we are in awe of their talent,” said Caroline Eclipse, LWPTSA Reflections co-chairperson. “Our students covered such important topics as bullying, environmental issues, and achieving world peace through acceptance of each other’s differences. Through their work, they showed us that they are concerned, yet hopeful about our world.”

Washington State PTA award winners were honored at the Washington State PTA Convention in April. National PTA award winners will be honored in June at the National PTA Convention in Charlotte, NC.

Award winners from Redmond:

• Aditya Ramanathan, Tesla/STEM High School

Ideals

WSPTA Outstanding Interpretation Award in Music Composition (High School Division)

National PTA Competition Participant

• Rowan Villanueva, Rose Hill Middle School

A Bruised Little Girl

WSPTA Award of Excellence in Literature (Middle School Division)

• Adrian Shin-Nian Pang, Tesla/STEM High School

Cheers and Song

WSPTA Award of Excellence in Music Composition (High School Division)

• Shany Pauker, Audubon Elementary

Reduce, Reuse, Save and Recycle

WSPTA Award of Merit in Film (Intermediate Division)

• Ava Olson, Dickinson Elementary

Appreciating What is Around Us

WSPTA Award of Merit in Film (Primary Division)

• Camille Brennan, Horace Mann Elementary

Earth

WSPTA Award of Merit in Music Composition (Intermediate Division)

The National PTA Reflections program encourages students of all ages and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Through the program, National PTA, Lake Washington PTSA Council and PTAs across the country urge students in preschool through grade 12 to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice — dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts — reflecting on a specific theme. There is also a special artist division option for students with disabilities to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in the program. Students are recognized each year for their artistic ingenuity to bring the theme to life in a way that is personal and meaningful.