The PTA Reflections program provides access to the arts and opportunities for recognition to help students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas using art and to develop confidence and a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. Students create artworks in one or more of the available arts category areas and submit entries to their PTA. 

Categories include:

• Dance choreography: the act of creating movement, usually coordinated with music, to represent an idea through dance.

• Film production: the process of making a film. The student submitting the entry is not required to appear in the film, but if the student chooses a tripod may be used. All screenwriting, directing and editing must be done by the student producer.

• Music composition: the process of creating a new piece of music. The student submitting the entry expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of sound.

• Literature: the art of writing. The student submitting the entry expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of words.

• Photography: the process of creating an image. By focusing on objects using various lenses, filters and light sources, photographers may demonstrate the use of photographic techniques conventionally or digitally.

• Visual arts: includes many art forms that are visual in nature, such as ceramics, collages, digital art and graphics, crafts, drawings, fiberwork (sewing/knitting/crocheting), jewelry, painting, and more. Through combined elements like color, shape, and texture, visual artwork is not only pleasing to look at but also expresses an idea or thought.

In Reflections, students create original works of art inspired by the annual theme: "What My Culture Means to Me." Keep these basic entry requirements in mind when creating your Reflections entry: 

• Entries must be inspired by the current annual theme.

• Entries must be new artwork, created for the Reflections program. 

• Entries must be original artwork created by one student only. Only (1) student is awarded per entry.

• Entries must include an original title and artist statement.

• If you use technology or digital platforms to create an entry, you must include a brief description of how the tool(s) was used. 

For more information, see National PTA's Reflections page for students and families.

To submit an entry, click here.

Yes! In Reflections, students can submit entries to PTAs in their community and state and potentially earn additional recognition up to the state and national levels of the contest. Keller ISD winners are determined and awarded prizes at the local, district, state, and National levels. At higher levels, some awards include monetary prizes of up to $800. Entries are reviewed using the Reflections Review Criteria: Interpretation of Theme, Creativity and Technical Skill. See more on the National PTA Reflections Awards page.

You can see past examples of winning entries in National PTA's 2024-25 "Accepting Imperfection" virtual exhibit and at the bottom of the Awards page.

There many different definitions for culture and even more ways to experience it, which means there will be many interpretations of the theme. Culture encompasses all that a group of people does that makes them similar to each other, but different from other people in the world. Culture does not stay the same, but changes with new influences and generations. 

Culture is expressed through physical elements like food, clothing, music, and art, as well as non-physical elements like languages, holidays, and customs. It is found in quiet, everyday moments: the tradition of generations gathering for a family reunion; the way one’s name is pronounced; stories passed down from loved ones about a hometown hero; or values taught in a school community or on the football field.

Students can look inward or discuss the theme with friends and family to find inspiration for their Reflections entry. Consider these questions to help students move beyond simply naming a tradition to begin exploring why it is important to them:

• What traditions, people, places or memories help me understand who I am?

• What is something about my culture that makes me feel proud?

• How does my culture shape the way I see myself, my family or my community?

• What do I wish others understood about my culture?

• What story do I want my artwork to tell?

1. First, complete this form for National PTA so you're in the system. SVES PTA's National PTA 8-digit ID is 04506526.

2. Second, to submit your entry, click here. The submission deadline is October 29, 2026.