4 District 58 Students Move Ahead In National PTA Competition

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Four students from Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will showcase their dance, film and literature talents at the National PTA Reflections competition. In addition four students earned honorable mention in the state level of the competition.

This year, the contest's theme is "Show Your Voice." The following students have made it to the national level with their original creations:

• Tyler Holmes, a 2nd grader at El Sierra Elementary School, for the film"You Can Be a Hero"
• McKenna Blonn, a 6th grader at Highland Elementary School, for the dance performance "Words"
• Teagan Holtrup, a kindergartener at Hillcrest Elementary School, for the literary piece “The Boy Hoo Toks Olot (The Boy Who Talks A Lot)"
• George Onken, a 5th grader at Lester Elementary School, for the film "A Kid Who Showed His Voice – Ryan White"

Students who earned honorable mention in the competition's state level are:

• Elin Carlson, a 1st grader at Whittier Elementary School, for the photography piece "A Whisper in the Ear"
• Naya James, a 5th grader at Highland Elementary School, for the visual arts piece "Blossoming Voices"
• Jessica Fischer, a 1st grader at Fairmounth Elementary School, for the literary piece "The Forgetful Wedding"
• Keira O’Donoghue, a 5th grader at Hillcrest Elementary School, for the dance piece "Listen"

The National PTA Reflections Program was founded in 1969 by board member Mary Lou Anderson, according to the National PTA website. The annual competition draws inspiration from Anderson's statement, "Without the Arts, education is paltry indeed!"