The Reflections Program is a cultural arts program of the National PTA which encourages students to express their thoughts and feelings through creative arts. Every year a theme is chosen and students create artwork at home or school to express that theme. Students compete for prizes and recognition on local, state, and national levels.

General rules:
All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the 2009-2010 Reflections Program theme, “Beauty Is…!”  Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents, or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as for students with visual or physical disabilities).  Participation encourages creativity and exploration.  National PTA General Participation Rules must be followed and may be accessed via www.novadistrictpta.org/reflections/reflections.htm.

Students may submit works in any of the six arts areas:

Visual Arts – Flat artwork may not to exceed 3/8-inch thickness.  Artwork may not exceed 24” x 30” including matting.  Examples of art include collages, drawings, paintings, metal etching, fiber work and computer generated art and graphic prints.

Musical Composition – Music composition entries may or may not have lyrics.  Entries must be the work of one student.  Notation is required; notation software is permitted. Imported MIDI files or files from other sources are not acceptable. Composition may not exceed five minutes.

Photography – Color or black and white photo or collage of photos may not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches including a mat.

Literature – Entries can be handwritten or typed not to exceed 2000 words.  Entries must be submitted on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper.  Examples of literature include poetry, prose, drama, fiction, nonfiction, lyrics and short stories.

Dance Choreography – Dance choreography must be original choreographed dance composition recorded on a VHS videotape or DVD.  Choreography must be the work of one student and must demonstrate creativity and interpretation of the theme.  No more than 3 dancers.  The choreographer need not be one of the dancers.  Entry must not exceed five minutes.

Film/Video Production – Entries must be original works of fiction or nonfiction relating to the current theme.  Student must be the director, screenwriter, and cameraperson.  Work can be an animation, narrative, documentary, or experimental.  Entry must be submitted on a videotape, DVD, or computer disk.  Entry must not exceed five minutes.

NUMBER OF ENTRIES SUBMITTED:  Students may only submit one entry in a category, but a student may enter original works in all six categories.

ORIGINALITY:  Each entry must be the work of one student only. An adult may not alter, change, or enhance the creative integrity of a student's work.

DEADLINE:  Monday, November 2, 2009 (date to be confirmed).
Students must submit their original work, along with their completed official entry form to the Herndon High School PTSA Reflections Chair (HHS Main Office) by November 2, 2009 (date to be confirmed). These entries are judged and the selected works are forwarded for further competition.  Official entry forms are available at http://www.pta.org/documents/2009entryform.doc.

JUDGES:  We need them!  If you or someone you know has artistic expertise or talent, please contact the Herndon High School PTSA Reflections Coordinator, Shaw Berke, shaw.berke@verizon.net, 703-404-9325.  Judging will take place between November 2 and 21, 2009 (dates to be confirmed).

OTHER PARENT VOLUNTEERS: We need other parent volunteers to help with this committee.  I am happy to Chair the event but I need help from you, please!  Ideally, it would be great if there were parents to help with each category of the program.
            Potential judges:

• Art, literature, dance, film, journalism, and music educators or college/university professors
• Art museum directors, docents, curators, or historians
• Professional photographers and local artisans
• Local symphony orchestra or choral directors, musicians, conductors
• Local dance conservatories, dance studios, ballets, or theaters
• Local multimedia/video production companies
• Newspaper journalists, editors, or photographers
• Local television stations

QUESTIONS?  Contact the Herndon High School PTSA Reflections Program Coordinator, Shaw Berke, shaw.berke@verizon.net, 703-404-9325 (home).