Now in it’s 51st year, PTA Reflections Art Program has become more relevant than ever. The program was founded by Mary Lou Anderson in 1969. She was an advocate for girls and those who felt they didn’t have a voice by using art as a way to share their point of views and understand their roles in the world around them.  Over time, it has become a beloved PTA program that now offers scholarships to students across the nation. This year’s theme is I MATTER BECAUSE.

The Vista Verde PTA Reflections Team is proud of every single student that submitted a work of art despite this unusual time. Thank you to our teachers who encouraged our students to participate!

Judging is done anonymously by professionals in the field. They use a rubric and point system. INTERPRETATION OUTWEIGHS TECHNIQUE. The awards are as follows: 1st Place Award of Excellence, 2nd Place Award of Merit, 3rd Place Honorable Mention.

All 1st Place Award of Excellence winners move on to the the Irvine Unified Council PTA level to compete with other schools in IUSD.

The winning selections for this year are:

LITERATURE

Primary (K-2)

1st Place Award of Excellence

LITTLE HELPER

by JUXI “BELLA” LIU, AGE 8

3^rd Grade, MRS. MADDEN, IVA

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)

1st Place Award of Excellence

REASONS

by Noah Lee, Age 13

7^th Grade, Mrs. Eckerman, IVA

2nd Place Award of Merit

EVERY PIECE OF A PUZZLE

by Ryan Lee, Age 13

7^th Grade, Ms. Stoldt, IVA

3rd Place Honorable Mention

WHAT IS INSIDE MATTERS

by Sarina Marzbani, Age 11

6^th Grade, Stoldt, IVA

 ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSITION

1st Place Award of Excellence

ICE by Aron Mostafavi, Age 7

2^nd Grade, Miss Gornbein

VISUAL ARTS

1st Place Award of Excellence

Primary: (K-2)

SWIMMING TIGER

by Junxi Liu, Age 5

Kindergarten, Mrs. Piesik

Intermediate (3-5)

I MATTER BECAUSE I SPREAD “LOVE VIRUS”

by Haeun Yoo, Age 9

3^rd Grade, Jonat

Middle School (6-8)

TRUE SELF by Sarah Ida, Age 13

8^th Grade, Mrs. Percoco

2nd Place Award of Merit

Primary (K-2): NATURE by Avya Warrier, Age 5

Kindergarten, Mrs. Anderson

Intermediate (3-5)

STARS IN THE NIGHT

by Melinda Chia

Age 9, 4^th Grade, Mrs. Christenberry

Middle School (6-8)

SOCIAL UMBRELLING

by Kira Efimenko, Age 12

7^th Grade, Mrs. Liu

3rd Place Honorable Mention

Primary (K-2)

MY GARDEN

by Bradley Harsadi, Age 6

1^st Grade, Miss Na

Intermediate (3-5)

KINDNESS

by Eshana Warrier, Age 8

3^rd Grade, Mrs. Jones

Middle School (6-8)

SELF by Aanya Pillai, Age 11

6^th Grade, Ozgur/Deathrage

Congratulations to all of our amazing artists! Please look out for an announcement regarding an Awards Ceremony soon!

Any questions or want to volunteer next year? Contact Lilli LaBuen or Roxi Carter at Reflections@vistaverdepta.org.

Reflections is Going Virtual and the 2022-2023 Theme Contest is On!

I MATTER BECAUSE…is this year’s theme for the Reflections Program. Encouraging children of all ages, grade levels, and abilities to express themselves through art. Whether you paint, dance, sing, play an instrument or you’re good behind the lens, show us who you are and what makes you important, because you matter! BE CREATIVE! BE YOU!

You can submit one original entry to as many of the following categories as you like: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Music Composition, Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts. We also want to announce our Special Artist Division for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or AD: Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. This offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure every student has the chance to be a part of the longest standing PTA program: Reflections!

By the way, no more hassling with paper forms! The program is now 100% virtual! DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS 12 AM, OCTOBER 14TH!

Visit https://vistaverdepta.org/reflections/  or contact Lilli and Roxanne at Reflections@vistaverdepta.org for more information!

One last thing: THE 2022-2023 Reflections Theme Search is on! Learn how you can win a $100 cash prize by clicking here.!

In the meantime, check out these special messages from one of our IUSD Art teachers, Mrs. Haynes and our awesome Mrs. Marks!