Reflections is a National PTA and Washington State PTA arts recognition program that helps all students in grades Pre-K through 12th explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas; develop artistic literacy; increase confidence; and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life.
The theme for 2023-2024 is "I am Hopeful Because..."
MSHS, P3 or Snoqualmie Valley home school students in grades 9-12 can submit their completed works of art in one, or all, of the available art categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.
While the primary focus of Reflections is a celebration of creativity through positive recognition, finalists from local PTAs will move on to their district council competition, then finalists from councils will move on to the state round. Washington State PTA finalists who receive an “Outstanding Interpretation” award will advance to the National PTA round.
Reflections entries will be submitted this year via Google Form at bit.ly/MSHSreflections2023
The deadline for entries to be received is December 1, 2023.
Artwork will only be accepted digitally. Instructions/Rules regarding hard-copies of photos, mounted visual art, etc. only apply to entries that advance to the state- or national-level competition. You will be contacted if you need to mount your artwork. In your initial submission, it is only necessary to include digital files. (For visual arts just take a digital photo of your work.)
The entry form must include parent AND student signatures (electronically accepted), as well as a 10-100 word artist statement describing how the work relates to the theme.
Artworks must be uploaded in the following file formats:
Dance Choreography: AVI or MP4 file. Video must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1 GB in file size.
Film Production: AVI or MP4 file. Video must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1 GB in file size.
Literature: Word document or pdf format. No length restriction.
Music Composition: MP3 or WAV file. Audio recording must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1 GB in file size. Notation must be included.
Photography: PNG, JPEG, GIF formats. PDF also accepted.
Visual Arts: Upload photo of artwork in PNG, JPEG, GIF formats. PDF also accepted. (For 3D artwork upload 3 photos of the entry showing a combination of angles).
For more information and program guidelines, including specific rules for each category, visit www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/reflections/.
Other questions? Email reflections.svptsa@gmail.com.
FAQs
Who Can Enter the Reflections Art Program?
A Reflections program is a benefit of attending a school where there is a PTA. 9th-12th grade MSHS Students must enter the contest through the MSHS PTSA. We will also accept entries from 9th-12th grade students who live in the Snoqualmie Valley who are home schooled (P3 or other), or who attend a private school where there is no PTA.
Do Children Have to Sign the Entry Form?
Yes. The entry form must be signed by the submitting student and the student’s parent/guardian. The form is an online fillable form in which individuals may type their name as their signature.
How and Where do I Send my Visual Art and Photography Entries?
There is no need to initially submit your original Visual Art or mounted Photography entries directly to MSHS PTSA. Simply provide image files of your art using the upload tool in the online student entry form. For 3D art provide three images from different angles. Only if your entry advances to the state level will you be asked to mount your photos or provide the original work in physical form. But for the local entry, you do not need to physically send anything. (If you experience difficulty using the online form or upload tool, contact mshsptsareflections@gmail.com).
How Should Film and Dance Entries be Submitted?
Film and dance entries should also be uploaded in the online student entry form. The upload tool can accept a file up to the maximum size permitted in the rules (1,000MB). (If you experience difficulty using the online form or upload tool, contact reflections@snoqualmiemiddleschoolpta.org to submit a paper entry form and make alternate arrangements to send the entry files).
What are the Recommendations for Quality Recordings?
Make the room you record in as quiet as possible. Close windows and turn off all noise-making devices in the room (air conditioners, fans, telephones, etc.). Do not place the recording device on top of an instrument or speakers. If needed, improve recording quality by changing the record volume or microphone location. Pay attention to what is behind the performer – make sure the background isn’t distracting. If using a phone, record in landscape mode, not portrait mode.
How Many Entries May One Student Submit?
Students may submit in as many arts categories as they would like, however, only one entry per arts category is allowed.
Can More than One Person Create and Submit the Same Entry?
Only one person can submit each entry. However, more than one person can perform in a dance, music, or film creation, even though one person is the creator/submitting the entry.
What is Considered Copyrighted Material Subject to Disqualification?
An entrant may use copyrighted material in a Reflections® entry as long as that material is not the primary focus of the entry, or if the entrant is not trying to pass off the copyrighted material as his/her own creation. For example, if a photograph is taken where someone is wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt, that entry is acceptable as long as the Mickey Mouse character is not the primary focus of the photograph. Even if the entrant takes a photograph of a family with Mickey Mouse at a theme park, that would still be an acceptable photograph if the subject of the photograph is the family and not the Mickey Mouse character. If an entrant creates an entry that includes Mickey Mouse as a primary subject in the artwork, that entry would be infringing on copyrighted material and would be disqualified. If you have any questions about copyrighted material, contact the WSPTA Reflections Chair at reflections@wastatepta.org
I Have a Question Not Answered Here
Email MSHS PTSA's Reflections Chair, Kim Jones, if you have any questions. Kim will be happy to assist you. mshsptsareflections@gmail.com