HSES, PMS, & MHHS
2025-2026 PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
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Call for entries, by November 20th, 2025
2025- 2026 theme! I belong
CALLING ALL STUDENTS!
Do you enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections!
Categories:
Students participate in the Reflections program in the division for their grade:
Primary (Pre-K to grade 2)
Intermediate (Grades 3-5)
Middle school (Grades 6-8)
High school (Grades 9-12)
Special artist (All grades welcome)*
*Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.
Students may submit entries in more than one arts category but may only submit two entries per arts category and a total of 5 entries in total. Each entry must have it's own completed entry form with a Title and Artist Statement. Check out the submission guidelines below and submit an entry form below with your submission(s).
For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships at PTA.org/Reflections/Awards.
What is the Reflections program?
The Reflections program was founded by Mary Lou Anderson in 1969 and provides students an opportunity for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Each year, students in pre-K through grade 12 create and submit original works of art in response to a student-created theme selected through the annual Reflections Theme Search Contest.
Based on state PTA rules and guidelines, art is submitted and may advance from the local PTA level up through district/region/council and state PTA competitions to the national level for awards and recognition opportunities.
Why should I participate?
It is a national level program.
Recognition and rewards at every level.
Can be the start of a future career pursuit!
What art categories and divisions are available in the Reflections program?
Students participate in the Reflections program in the division for their grade: primary (pre-K to grade 2), intermediate (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8), high school (grades 9-12) and special artist (all grades welcome). Students may submit in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and/or visual arts.
However, submission and category guidelines are determined at the state PTA level and may vary by state. Please review Maryland Free State PTA Reflections website for category guidelines and related questions.
HOLLIFIELD STATION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Submit your entry along with your entry form via online to the email below or to the Reflections box inside the school lobby starting on 10/27/25. *For emails, please make sure to include your name, grade, and entry category in the subject line.
Contact the Reflections Chair
reflectionshses@gmail.com
PATAPSCO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Submit your entry along with your entry form via online to the email below. Please make sure to include your name, grade, and entry category in the subject line.
Contact the Reflections Chair
reflectionspatapsco@gmail.com
MT. HEBRON
HIGH SCHOOL
Submit your entry along with your entry form via online to the email below. Please make sure to include your name, grade, and entry category in the subject line.
Contact the Reflections Chair
reflectionsmhhs@gmail.com
Be Inspired!
Watch the 2025-26 Reflections Call for Entries video to get inspired to participate in the I belong.. theme
Reflections Program
Dance Choreography
Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format.
Film Production
Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format.
Literature
Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative, and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 1⁄2x11” paper, PDF file.
Music Composition
All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio recording must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size. Accepted audio file formats include: MP3 and WAV. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions. In place of a notated score entrant may include a written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how you wrote the music (100 words or less).
Photography
Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.
Visual Arts
Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. Framed entries are not accepted. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission. 3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.
Special Artist
Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division OR grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. See Official Rules for details.
Format Rules:
Dance Choreography and Film Production entries must be submitted in MP4, MOV, or AVI format.
Music Composition entries must be submitted in MP3 or WAV format.
Literature and scores as required for Music Composition must be submitted in PDF format.
Photography and Visual Arts entries must be submitted in JPEG, JPG or PNG format.
Make sure all the entry forms are completed and submissions follow the program’s guidelines and requirements. Entries to PTA Council that are missing the following will be disqualified automatically.
A TITLE is REQUIRED (“Untitled” is not a title). Avoid using the theme as a title.
The ARTIST STATEMENT is MANDATORY for all entries in all grade divisions. Each participant is required to submit an artist statement that describes what inspired him or her to create the work and how it relates to the theme. Each entry must be 10-100 words describing your work and how it relates to the theme. The Student Entry Form provides a space to type the artist statement; if the statement does not fit in the space given, it must be written on a separate page and labeled in the lower right corner according to the directions given for the rules of the specific art area.
By submitting an artwork to the “National PTA Reflections Program,” entrants accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category and division. Additional state program requirements may apply. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and binding in all respects. (The “PTA” referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the submission).
Submissions may not be created using artificial intelligence software (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E rotor, hotpot AI, deep AI, Craiyon, nightcafe, or other text-to-art software tools) to generate any part of the content or composition. Content generation, including composition and arrangement, must be the result of student exercise of skills and tools. This does not preclude the use of image painting and editing software such as photoshop, gimp, paint or similar software tools for any entries.
1. ELIGIBILITY. Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA. Each student’s eligibility is determined by the state and local PTA/PTSA. A student may develop an entry inside or outside of school.
2. ARTS CATEGORIES. There are six arts categories—dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Students may enter the National PTA Reflections Program in one or more arts categories. See each arts category rules for additional entry requirements.
3. GRADE DIVISIONS. Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade (Primary: Preschool-Grade 2; Intermediate: Grades 3-5; Middle School: Grades 6-8; High School: Grades 9-12; Special Artist: All grades welcome). The Special Artist Division welcomes students from all grades and abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special Artist Division.
4. HOW TO ENTER. Entrants must submit their artwork and student entry form to their local PTA/PTSA program according to local and state PTA procedures. Entrants must follow requirements and instructions specific to each arts category and division. Contact local PTA programs for deadlines and additional information.
5. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. (All participants must also follow arts category and if applicable, Special Artist Division rules)
Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted.
Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a
student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. See the specific arts category rules and special artist division rules for details.Each entry must contain a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and film production entries. If used in dance choreography and film production entries, background music must be cited on the entry form. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint templates are prohibited.
6. FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state and national levels. Each PTA determines its own reviewers for the program. Entries will be reviewed primarily on how well the student uses their artistic vision to portray the theme, their originality and creativity. The National PTA Reflections® program makes no restrictions on content or subject matter in artwork submitted by the local, regional or state levels. National PTA reserves the right to use its sole discretion in selecting the submissions to be recognized at the national level. Under no condition may parents or students contact a reviewer to dispute the status/score of any entry. Each PTA in its sole discretion will select finalists for exhibition and provide awards/prizes. Awards are announced per local and state procedures. National awards and events are announced May 1, 2023 at PTA.org/Reflections.
7. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry intothis program constitutes entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy, reproduce, enhance,print, sublicense, publish, distribute and create derivative works for PTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.
8. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. This program is administered by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and PTA affiliates. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.
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