National PTA Reflections 23-24 

Garfield Students Advance to State Level of PTA Arts Contest

Three Garfield Students have been chosen to represent Seattle at the State level of the PTSA Reflections Arts Program sharing entries inspired by this year’s theme, “I Am Hopeful Because…

High School Photography

• Jeremiah Lewis “The Life of Freedom” Garfield 
  • The person currently in the photo is my little brother. A 13 year old African American into the world. The one thing in this photo that I see hopeful is His life and growth. To see him grow and begin his story and to see his future. For a young African American into this society I want his goals to push away the obstacles that the world throws at him. I want him to believe, dream, but also hope.
• Gwyneth Hawkins “Jumping Barriers” Garfield 
  • I sat there for a long time, waiting for Watson to land his trick. Things started off rocky, but he stuck through it pushing himself. However, after many tries, he started to lose his confidence. Others around him noticed how he felt, they encouraged him, and gave him positive feedback. That was just what Watson needed, a push of positivity, helping reassure himself. People started to gather around and watch, every time he got above the barrier you could feel the suspense and excitement in the air, it wasn’t too long after that he landed his trick.

High School Visual Arts 

• Sofia Angeles “My Room” Garfield
  • My piece is not exactly a portrait, but it symbolically represents me and my space. This piece shows ‘I am hopeful’ because I was able to demonstrate and prove there are vibrant and exciting colors out there. On my everyday walks to school all I see is brutalist architecture and cars that are desaturated in color. I am hopeful because of my dog. The dog in my piece makes me hopeful because he has been with me every step of the way and I know he’ll continue to be.

View all finalist Photography and Visual Arts on the SCPTA website.

Photography Honorable Mention

In addition, 7 photographers received an honorable mention for their submitted work.

• Sofia Angeles, In Light and Dark
  • I am hopeful because the moon is always there for me. When I forget to breathe the moon is there to remind me. When I look at the moon, I get reminded of all the memories I’ve made below it. When I look at the stars the moon is there, beautifully among them. When I cry, I can look up and forget all my worries. The moon gives me light when it’s too dark to move forward.
• Kieran Daly, A Bright Future
  • I am hopeful because the outdoors, and specifically my recent interest in rock climbing has given me freedom, and an escape from the more stressful parts of my life. When I use mediums like climbing to explore natural areas, the rest of my life seems to fade away, and all of my attention narrows to the rock above me. I can focus on the future instead of the present, it feels amazing. My photo, taken of my friend climbing in Eastern Washington, effectively portrays this idea. The rock surrounding her fades into the darkness while the destination ahead shines brightly.
• Ricco Graves, Hopeful
  • I chose this picture because the things I went through when my brother passed away were so hard. But the person I am today shows that hanging on and being hopeful things will get better is shown.
• Becky Johnston, Street Plague
  • I like seeing things being painted over. There’s a certain picturesque anguish between what used to berate air, and what now suffocates it. I’d like to believe love as the ultimate trump card, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. However, in this photo I see it as so. I am hopeful because love exists all around us, whether you can see it or not. And I am hopeful for those who dare to make love where there is none.
• Jia Jin Liu, Reflection of the Ages
  • In the old villages of China most family houses are preserved to show off their family’s wealth. This village was in the middle of nowhere, no attention around but their pride was strong. They kept their house up looking nice and shiny with a small pool out front. I captured this shot by using the pool as a reflection to show a unique building and its surroundings. The families in the village all hope to keep it standing as long as possible, keeping their families legacy thriving.
• Michael Gordon, Perspective
  • It’s really hard to focus on how waste from wealthier nations ends up in poor undeveloped countries. These countries often lack the resources to properly manage this waste, which can lead to environmental damage and health problems. It’s a perspective check of the global inequality that exists. I’m hopeful for the resilience and strength of these communities. They deserve our support in finding sustainable solutions.
• Zoe Saxer, Promising
  • This represents what hope means to me: looking forward despite struggle. The bird is surrounded by thorny branches and a cloudy sky. Regardless, the bird looks past and above, towards hopefully a more positive future.

Select an image to enlarge

View a complete list of all Honorable Mention on the SCPTA website.

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Reflections National PTA Art Competition

Reflections is a National PTA arts competition that provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents. Reflections takes original student submissions, inspired by this year’s theme, “I Am Hopeful Because…” in the area of visual arts, photography, literature, music composition, film production and dance choreography. Students participate by submitting entries to their local PTSA and they select which works to advance to the city level. Works are then further judged with opportunities for advancement to state and national levels. Learn more on the SCPTSA website.