Reflections is a National PTA art in education program. The program was started in 1969 and is the largest arts in education program of its kind in the United States. Students have the opportunity to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works created around a theme. Reflections is not “just an art contest.” It helps kids take risks, be inspired, think creatively and be celebrated for their creativity and work. Studies have shown there is a positive relationship between the arts and wellbeing. Get more information about Reflections Art Program (wastatepta.org)

Theme for 25-26 school year is:

Student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. Please carefully read and follow the rules for your category!! All artists must follow the rules of participation. Rules for each category are linked below.

The six art areas are:

Accessible Arts Division Guidelines | en Español The National PTA Accessible Arts Division is an option for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504. The division welcomes students of all ages and offers division-specific accommodations to ensure that every student has the chance to participate fully in the program.
Dance Choreography (en Español) - originally choreographed dance composition.
Film/Video (en Español) - original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
Literature (en Español)– works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
Music Composition (en Español) – original musical composition, with or without words.
Photography (en Español)- color or black and white, included techniques: photogram, negative sandwich, and multiple exposure.
Visual Arts (en Español)- drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.

Participation is organized by student age and grade levels. The grade division for Clara Barton Elementary School is K-2nd & 3rd-5th.

How to Participate

Step 1 – CAREFULLY read the rules and guidelines for your specific art area (see links in Categories and Divisions section) or visit https://www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/reflections/). There are size requirements for visual art and photography and word counts for literacy. Dance, music and film production have specific ways to save and submit your file. Read the rules and guidelines carefully!

*Note: According to the guidance from Lake Washington PTSA Council, we do not accept 3-D artwork for the 2025-2026 Reflections program.

Step 2 – Electronically submit the following items to reflections@clarabartonptsa.org by October 22, 2025.

student's art work
together with completed & signed 2025-2026 Reflections Entry Form
Complete the Clara Barton Elementary PTSA Reflections 2025-26 Google Form

Step 3 – Please save your original art, if your art is selected for the State Level Reflection program, we have to submit the original one.

Questions?
Contact : Ruchi Gupta reflections@clarabartonptsa.org

2024- 2025 Recap Reflections

We are so proud of everyone who participated in the Reflections program 2024-25. We received 45 entrees over six categories. Students used their creative talents by expressing themselves through their original works created around the theme “Accepting Imperfection”.

Video of 24-25 Entries

Congratulations to 3 students for wining at council level and moving to the next level.

Julie Byskal Photography : Outstanding Interpretation for “Ballerina Bunny “
Ishika Surana Visual Arts : Honorable Mention for “ Riding Imperfect Waves
Vaishnavi Hemant Film Production : Award of Excellence for “ My (im)Perfect Family” Clara Barton Elementary.

All our participants :

Lucas Li	Ira Chaudhary	Nathan Cheung	Snehil Ghosh
Ishika Surana	Ira Maharjan	Nikhil Anand	Srikar kotapati
Matteo Ewing Kling	Isla Balog	Oishani G	Suryaansh Puram
Stella Xiao	Isla Balog	Paulina Kunimoto	Tara William
Abhinav Gupta	Jeev Jobanputra	Ria Prasad	Timothy Chang
An Nguyen	Jiya Dongale	Sachin Rohan Padmanabhan	Vaishnavi Hemant
Dennis Rozenfeld	Julie Byskal	Saketh Voora	Varalika Gupta
Evan Cheung	Kaitlyn Spooner	Samarth Sarangi	Vivienne Byskal
Hridhaan Shah	Maitree Dasgupta	Sanjay Prashanth	william li
Hugo Wong	Meghna Shriram	Shaurya Velur	Yohan Praveen
Ira Bolli	Myra Kekatpure	Shreya Segu	Yu Yan Perrie Lam

2023- 2024 Recap Reflections

We are so proud of everyone who participated in the Reflections program 2023-24. We received 19 entrees over six categories. Students used their creative talents by expressing themselves through their original works created around the theme “I Am Hopeful Because … . “

National Level Winner (First time for Clara Barton Elementary)

Vaishnavi Hemant an award-winning artist for her film production entry. She earned 1st place-Outstanding Interpretation and her entry has advanced to the National level of the competition.

State PTA Winner ( We're delighted to announce Clara Barton Elementary has two students who advanced to the Washington State PTA round of competition! This year Council Reflections competition saw 326 entries from 39 PTAs. Each entry was evaluated by independent judges. )

Vaishnavi Hemant Awarded: Outstanding Interpretation in Film Production.

Sophie Zhang Awarded: Award of Merit in Visual Arts.

LWPTSA Council Winner:

Vivienne Byskal ( Film Production)

Shreya Mohan (Music Composition)

Abhinav Gupta ( Visual Arts )

Ruohua (Sophia) Li ( Literature )

Vaishnavi Hemant ( Film Production)

Shraavya Harie Srinivas ( Visual Arts)

Sophie Zhang (Visual Arts)

Kaitlyn Spooner ( Literature )

Ishika Surana (Visual Arts)

Snehil Ghosh (Literature )

Congratulations!! to all the students for Submitting their entries for Reflections 2023-24.

Vivienne Byskal ( Film Production)

Julie Byskal ( Dance Choreography)

Shreya Mohan (Music Composition)

Abhinav Gupta ( Visual Arts )

Ruohua (Sophia) Li ( Visual Arts and Literature )

Lily Wang ( Visual Arts )

Vaishnavi Hemant ( Film Production)

Shraavya Harie Srinivas ( Visual Arts)

Kenisha Savjani ( Visual Arts )

Tara Williams ( Film Production)

Chloe Zhang ( Visual Arts)

Ethan Zhang (Visual Arts)

Sophie Zhang (Visual Arts)

Kaitlyn Spooner ( Literature )

Mathew Sebastian ( Film Production )

Ishika Surana (Visual Arts)

Snehil Ghosh (Literature and Photography )

2021-22 Artist Showcase: Clara Barton Reflections Entries

I will change the world graphic with blue and green earth line art drawing

Hannah Z., 5th Grade

Aadi E., 4th Grade

Gloria H., 3rd Grade

Samantha Z., 4th Grade

Jai M., 4th Grade

Haneef A., 4th Grade

2020-21 Artist Showcase: Clara Barton Reflections Finalists

Reflections theme "I matter beccause..."

Reflections drawing entry of a space scene with girl and imagined space astronaut. Black starry background with planet earth

"The Future in my Head- My Dream": The astronaut you see is the very same girl I look at every day and every night in my sweet & beautiful dreams. I decided to draw her as its a reflection of my future... I believe possibilities are endless and hence I matter!!

Gaurangi G., grade 5

"Love Matters": My artwork for the theme "I Matter Because" is made from crochet. The doll in the middle represents me. The pink heart represents that I have a working heart and feelings. The Pencil presents that I know a lot of things and have a brain. It also shows that I have more to learn in the future. The stick figures represent my friends and family - the orange ones are my family, and the pink ones are my best friends. It shows that they care for me and love me. I matter because I'm surrounded by people who love me and things that I love.

Lynn H., grade 5

Questions? Email the PTSA Reflections Chair at reflections@clarabartonptsa.org.