National PTA Announces 2011 Reflections Award Recipients

ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - May 12, 2011) - Today, National PTA® announced the 2011 Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Award winners in six arts categories, along with almost 200 other Awards of Excellence and Merit. In its 41^st year, Reflections is one of the country's oldest and largest arts recognition programs.

The winners were chosen from hundreds of thousands of submissions from students across the nation who participated in this year's program, themed "Together we can..." Each year the program provides opportunities for students to receive recognition for their artistic efforts and expressions.

The six students will be recognized during a special ceremony at the 115th Annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition in June in Orlando, Fla. They also will receive a certificate, medallion, and $800 for their winning entry. A special award of $200 will be granted to each winner's local PTA.

The national Outstanding Interpretation Award Recipients are:

• Dance Choreography
  "Behave"
  Kelley Young
  North Springs Charter PTSA
  Sandy Springs, Georgia

• Musical Composition
  "Together We Can Do Anything"
  Rachel Dean
  Kennedy High School PTA
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Film Production
  "Clean the Earth"
  Adam Bohorquez
  Hampstead PTSA
  Hampstead, New Hampshire

• Photography
  "The Huddle"
  Kaitlyn Jackman
  Monticello Trails Middle School PTA
  Shawnee, Kansas

• Literature
  "Liberation and Justice for All"
  Khaetlyn Grindell
  JL Mann High School PTA
  Greenville, South Carolina

• Visual Arts
  "Together we can build a better world"
  Brian Koh
  SKA Academy PTSA
  Duluth, Georgia

The association also recognizes 72 students with Awards of Excellence and 120 students with Awards of Merit across four grade divisions -- primary, intermediate, middle/junior, and senior -- in six arts categories -- dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. A complete list of winners is available at www.PTA.org/ReflectionsWinners. Their artwork will be showcased in a virtual PTA Reflections gallery that will be live later this year.

The judging process was completed by professionals representing a number of disciplines and organizations. Volunteer judges included: Lorraine Audeoud Spiegler, dance director and educator, CityDance Ensemble; Brandon Rothenberg, producer, MRB; Sara Armour, marketing director, MRB; Bryan Elsom, director, MRB; Jin-Hwa Choi, composer; Zhangyi Chen, composer, Peabody Institute; Caitlin Hill, writer, editor, and professor, Poet Lore & The Writer's Center; Nicholas Simmons, watercolorist; Fran Abrams, polymer clay artist; Helanius J. Wilkins, founder and artistic director, EDGEWORKS Dance Theater; James Young, improviser and composer, Peabody Institute; Emily Koh, music educator and composer; Tian Hui Ng, conductor and composer, Mount Holyoke College; and Paul Oberle, photographer.

About PTA Reflections Program
For more than 40 years National PTA's Reflections Program has enhance quality arts education for students in preschool through grade 12, encouraging them to create works of art in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts.

About National PTA
National PTA^® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

To view this release in a media-rich format, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2011/national_pta/reflections/