Artistic talents were recently on display at Birch Lane Elementary in Massapequa Park as the school celebrated its National PTA Reflections contest participants and winners.
The Reflections contest, which brings families, schools and communities together in support of student success through the arts, this year saw projects that ranged from gorgeous acrylic paintings to touching short stories to luminous photography.
The awards ceremony invited children and parents to view the art and collect ribbons for a job well done. All of the artists who participated received a pizza luncheon courtesy of the PTA. The school’s assistant principal Christine Harris kicked off the event congratulating the students. Joyce Becker-Seddio, the school’s principal also attended the event in support of Birch’s exceptional students.
Birch Lane children in kindergarten through sixth grade submitted their entries in November, with every one inspired by this year’s national theme, “The World Would Be a Better Place If.” Artists chose from one or more of the contest’s six categories: photography, visual arts, literature, dance choreography, music composition and film production.
The Birch Lane building had 17 winners chosen by subject matter expert judges from Massapequa High School and administration. Those artists moved on to the Nassau County level of the event. From there, three works of art have moved on to the New York State level including two photographs taken by Gerard Beleckas and Anna Campanaro, respectively and a story written by Muriel LaMassa. In April, those students will find out if they have moved on to the national level of the contest.
“The Reflections program is so important because it escalates fine arts and lets children think outside the box,” said Karen Stealey, Birch Lane’s Reflections chairperson. “You can see how much the kids loved showcasing their skills for their friends and families.”
Many of the children are already getting excited about next year’s theme, “Let Your Imagination Fly.”
