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Explore the arts & express yourself
Explore the arts & express yourself
National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boost student confidence and success in the arts and life.
Categories and Divisions
Categories and Divisions
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade:
Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2),
Intermediate (Grades 3-5),
Middle School (Grades 6-8),
High School (Grades 9-12),
Special Artist (All grades welcome).*
Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
commonly asked questions - about reflections
commonly asked questions - about reflections
What is the Reflections Program?
What is the Reflections Program?
Each year, pre-K through grade 12 students create and submit original works of art in response to a student-created theme selected through the annual Reflections Theme Search Contest.
Based on state PTA rules and guidelines, art is submitted and may advance from the local PTA level up through district/region/council and state PTA competitions to the national level for awards and recognition opportunities.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Can I submit more than one entry?
Students may submit one (1) entry per category. However, a student may submit entries in multiple categories.
What is an Artist Statement?
What is an Artist Statement?
You are required to write a description of your artwork between 10 and 100 words. The judges will use your statement to understand what you are trying to say through your art. Take your time and put some effort into this step.
What do the judges look for?
What do the judges look for?
There are three areas of critique:
(40 pts) Interpretation of the Theme – How closely the piece relates to the theme based on the work and the artist statement.
(30 pts) Creativity – How creative and original is the piece
(30 pts) Artistic Technique – The level of skill demonstrated
How are the students recognized?
How are the students recognized?
Local Level Review – A panel at the local level first reviews all student submissions. The top three entries in each category are advanced to State Competition.
State Level Review – State PTAs are able, but not required, to submit 30 entries in total to the national level for review - one entry per arts category, per division.
National Level Review – Student entries submitted to the national level go through two rounds of review by esteemed arts professionals across the country. Over 200 students are recognized for their achievements in the arts and their works are exhibited throughout the year. Top national-level winners are provided prizes and scholarships and their works are showcased and exhibited.
2025-2026 Reflections results
2025-2026 Reflections results
NATIONAL WINNER
NATIONAL WINNER
Henry Poskey won the Award of Merit for the Film Production category for the National PTA Reflections Contest.
In 25-26, the National PTA received over 900 submissions from 42 state PTA congresses. His artwork was reviewed by a national panel of judges and scored highly on its interpretation of the theme, creativity, and technical skills. He was only 1 of 3 winners from Missouri and the only Liberty Public Schools winner!
STATE WINNERS
STATE WINNERS
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our EPiC Reflections State Winners!
EPiC had a very strong representation at the state level, earning over 8 awards out of 44 possible placements. Our EPiC state winners are:
Dance Choreography
Honorable Mention – William Pierce, “I Belong Family Dance”
Film Production
First Place – Henry Poskey, “My School EPiC” (Accessible Arts)
Honorable Mention – Magnus Hingtgen, “Boys Belong Too”
Literature
Second Place – Graham Watkins, “The T-Rex Who Lost His Roar”
Honorable Mention – Iolani Kaaiakamanu, “I belong in”
Music Composition
First Place – CeCe Dragen, “We Belong”
Photography
Third Place – Antonia Clark, “Show Me Your Colors”
Visual Arts
First Place – Zelda McMillin, “I belong here.” (Accessible Arts)
LOCAL WINNERS
LOCAL WINNERS
The 2025-2026 Reflections local contest at EPiC received 52 student submissions, which were voted on by outside judges from the Liberty/KC metro area. From those entries, 31 pieces advanced to the State of Missouri Reflections Competition!
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our EPiC Reflections participants!
Our award recipients include: Visual Arts (K–2): Penelope Crawford (1st), LottieMae Headrick (2nd), Ayva Payne (3rd), with Honorable Mentions to Harper Burgess, Rowan Poskey, and Vivian Baker; Visual Arts (3–5): Wren Eggers (1st), Olivia Quigley (2nd), Olivia Noel (3rd), Honorable Mentions Anabel Kleinschmidt, Mavric Hewitt, and Zelda McMillin; Film Production (K-2): Henry Poskey (1st), Magnus Hingtgen (2nd), and Maryanna Chabala (3–5 1st); Dance Choreography: William Pierce (K–2 1st), Madelyn Hobbs (K–2 2nd), Easton Noel (K–2 3rd), and McKenzie Day-Gloe (3–5 1st), Brynn Broussard (3–5 2nd), Reagan Travis (3–5 3rd); Literature: Graham Watkins (K–2 1st), Iolani Kaaiakamanu (K–2 2nd), Honorable Mention Finnegan Hobbs, and Cece Dragen (3–5 1st), Ayla Speight (3–5 2nd); Photography: Antonina Clark (K–2 1st), Gabrielle Speight (K–2 2nd), Rowan Poskey (K–2 3rd), Honorable Mentions Scarlett Amaral, Madelyn Hobbs, and Finnegan Hobbs, and Vivian Wales (3–5 1st), Brooklyn Pierce (3–5 2nd), Amelia Baker (3–5 3rd), Honorable Mention Aurora Amaral; Music Composition: Eddie Dragen (3–5 1st), Cece Dragen (3–5 1st), Kate Rooney (3–5 2nd), Honorable Mention Emmeline Ehlert, and Owen Pilsl (K–2 Honorable Mention).
Congratulations to all of our participants and winners!
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