Reflections

Congratulations! 2025-26 Reflections Artists

To give students confidence in their abilities to explore ideas and learn through the art

Reflections is a PTA contest for the arts.  Each year, students in preschool through grade 12 are invited to create and submit works of art in the areas of dance choreography, literature, photography, film production, music composition, and visual arts.  Select winners at the National PTA level win scholarship grants.

Theme for the 2025-26 Reflections Art Program: “I Belong!”

Award of Excellence winners will move to the next level of judging at the Cupertino-Fremont-Sunnyvale Council PTA level.

Film Production

Award of Excellence - I Belong...by Anji (Anjali) Lloyd - Shattock

“I created a multimedia presentation exemplifying what it means to belong using photographs, my music, quotes, and graphic art. As someone who hasn't always felt like I have belonged, I wanted to show my audience places were I knew I did.”

Literature

Award of Excellence - The Life In-Between by Aashvi Gupta

“Belonging has never been easy for someone who lives in a world that doesn't reflect their color---or their traditions. As an Asian living in the USA, I often feel like I don't belong to either title, neither "Indian" nor "American." However, I've learned that polarizing and forcing yourself to choose isn't what makes you a stronger, happier person, and it doesn't truly reflect what you are either. I belong to both cultures, both homes, both lands, and I am proud of this. ”

Award of Merit - Brainpower by Jack Dobbins

“Initially, I wasn’t sure I could enter this competition. How was I supposed to write about something I had never felt in my life? So I started documenting my struggle to fit in and “belong,” hating myself because I wasn’t “normal.” This forced me to look back objectively at my life. That’s when the realization hit me: had I never belonged anywhere, or had I been tricking myself into thinking I didn’t belong? Ultimately, I realized that I had to redefine how I thought about belonging in order to truly recognize that feeling in my life.”

Music Composition

Award of Excellence - Mystics by Yunxuan (Michael) Li

“Middle school was when I discovered where I belonged—through band, which gave me a sense of community. Near the end of 8th grade, my director asked me to write one last piece, a farewell to the place I loved coming to every day. It encapsulated my journey of belonging and the best of my middle school years, where I found passion, curiosity, and creativity. Originally composed for band, I’ve now arranged it for full orchestra as a time capsule of those memories.”

Award of Merit - Running Home by Juyoung Han

“I interpret this theme as a journey of discovering where I belong. The piece begins with a repetitive, string-like synth which reflects "running" with a hesitant emotion of searching for something uncertain. I utilized imperfect harmony to represent my lost feelings in sixth grade after moving to the States. As the music escalates to its climax, the uncertainty fades, leaving a single clear chord. I realized. "Home" isn’t restricted to a specific place; it’s wherever I feel accepted and understood. The piece resolves with a hopeful harmony, expressing the calm of finding the sense of belonging.” 

Visual Arts

Award of Excellence - The Final Piece by Ally Yang

“The Final Piece" visualizes a journey of self-belonging and acceptance. The subject of this portrait is placing a puzzle piece of her eye directly into its matching spot, signifying a mental battle of insecurity. Instead of expressing "I belong with others", this piece captures "I belong in my own skin." The title, however, is ironic: some mismatched and oddly colored pieces still remain on the portrait. This reminds viewers that self acceptance isn't a finished puzzle, but an ongoing process to see oneself as whole, despite its imperfect fits.”

Award of Merit - I Belong: Threads of a New Home by Yuri Seo

“As the child of Korean immigrants, my work reflects the sacrifices and struggles my parents faced—navigating language barriers, discrimination, and a constant sense of displacement. Though they longed for home, they stayed in America to give me opportunities they never had. “I Belong” explores identity and resilience of growing up between cultures. Through my art, I honor their journey as well as all immigrants who have questioned whether they truly belong. This work is a declaration that we do.”

Award of Merit - Belonging through Diversity by Shreya Balu

“In this world, everyone wants to belong somewhere and I am so happy to have found a place I belong. My classroom is the perfect place I feel I belong. I have friends from diverse cultures and backgrounds and it opens my door to explore and accept other people just as they accept mine which makes me feel I belong. When I see love and respect irrespective of my background, I feel I belong and I reciprocate the same to make them feel that they belong. Thus by making others feel they belong, I can feel I belong.”

Award of Merit - "The Embrace" by Mihit Lohar 

“This artwork depicts an embrace between the first friend I made when I arrived in the U.S., Ryan, and me. It represents how friendship can foster a sense of belonging, even in a new place. The background combines cultural motifs from India and America-the grand India Gate, tablas, delicious spices, and colorful rickshaw on one side, and the Statue of Liberty and tall skyscrapers on the other. Through this piece, I wanted to express that belonging isn't just about being accepted-it's about being made to feel at home.”