District 58 Students Earn Nods In PTA Reflections Arts Competition

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Dozens of students from Downers Grove Grade School District 58 were recently recognized for their work in photography, music, dance and other artistic fields as part of the PTA Reflections Awards Ceremony. The contest resumed in December after previously taking a break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Of these students, 31 will move on to the regional competition. Their names, schools and competition categories are as follows:

• Tyler H., El Sierra Elementary School, Film Production, El Sierra Elementary School
• Harper Z., El Sierra Elementary School, Music
• Jessica F., Fairmount Elementary School, Literature
• Ruben L., Fairmount Elementary School, Photography
• Elizabeth L., Fairmount Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Emma F., Henry Puffer Elementary School, Photography
• Olivia G., Henry Puffer Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Claire S., Herrick Middle School, Visual Arts
• Tommy D., Hillcrest Elementary School, Literature
• Teagan H., Hillcrest Elementary School, Literature
• Nora J., Hillcrest Elementary School, Film Production
• Amelia K., Hillcrest Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Keira O., Hillcrest Elementary School, Dance Choreography
• Emily W., Hillcrest Elementary School, Film Production
• Sean E., Lester Elementary School, Photography
• George O., Lester Elementary School, Film Production
• Meredith H., Pierce Downers Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Hailey L., Pierce Downers Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Josh M., Pierce Downers Elementary School, Film Production
• Tess S., Pierce Downers Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Sadie S., Pierce Downers Elementary School, Visual Arts
• Olivia A., Whittier Elementary School, Literature
• Rachel A., Whittier Elementary School, Literature
• Simran B., Whittier Elementary School, Music Composition
• Elin C., Whittier Elementary School, Photography
• Clare H., Whittier Elementary School, Photography

"We appreciate everyone who volunteered to make this program a success, and we wish our advancing students luck as they compete at the regional level!" Jenn Hollmeyer and Johanna Lewandowski, co-chairs of the Downers Grove PTA Reflections Council said in a statement.

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!"

The 2022 competition's theme is "Show Your Voice!"