LOS ALAMITOS, CA– Many people find solace through art, whether it be visual, written, or performing. Every year the National PTA hosts an art competition that encourages student artists to share their own beauty through different mediums. The Reflections art competition garners over 300,000 participants yearly. There are five divisions: Primary, Intermediate, Middle School, High School, and Special Artist. The contest has categories in several areas of art including dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Students can win at their school’s level, but they can also advance as far as a national level. 

The contest has a theme that changes annually. This year’s Reflections art program theme is “Show Your Voice!” following the 2021 theme of “I Will Change the World by…” Mrs. Paraskevi June, the Reflections chairperson, commented on this year’s theme.

“The theme is a very powerful one,” June said. “It calls upon students to go into themselves and draw out their creative voice and show it through whatever artistic means they choose.”

The Los Alamitos School District’s PTA encourages students to participate in Reflections every year. June shared insight on how the Reflections contest is judged.

“There are judges chosen from the community,” June said. “We try to ensure that they are not closely connected to the school or to the participants…They are given score sheets, and there are various criteria that they must use to assign points.”

June then explained that the artist statement is a critical portion of each artist’s submission. The artist statement is a brief summary of what inspired the work as well as how it reflects the year’s theme.

“One thing that many participants overlook is the artist statement,” June said. “It is heavily weighed in the judging. The statement needs to be written well so that the judges understand what the piece is about.”

Reflections is not just a great opportunity for students to express themselves; it also looks great on resumes, brag sheets, and college applications. As of last year, all Reflections entries are featured in Los Alamitos’ annual Weekend of Art, a free visual and performing arts exhibition hosted by Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services to recognize community artists. Moreover, those who advance to a further level are recognized at the Los Alamitos High School awards night. 

However, no matter the results of the competition, Reflections is a program that holds values to students and staff alike.

“I think everyone’s art is nice no matter what,” Megan Jun, a past Reflections participant, said. “I think they’re all worthy of winning.”

The Reflections contest gives student artists a platform to showcase their talents to their local community, so even those who do not advance to county and state levels can find meaning in the program.

“Being able to express yourself in so many ways, especially in the special artist division, is an award in itself,” June said. “Seeing students take a chance to put themselves out there and run with it…is enrichening.”

Anyone interested in joining should start working on their submissions right away because the Oct. 6 deadline is swiftly approaching. Further details on the contest in relation to Los Al high are available on the Los Alamitos high school website. The general rules can be accessed on the California State PTA website. Additionally, last year’s scoring guidelines can be accessed here.