It was October last year when the 2008-2009 National PTA Reflections Program was launched. Reflections is PTA's arts recognition and achievement program for students that allows children to express themselves creatively in any of the six categories: Literature, Visual Arts, Dance Choreography, Musical Composition, Film Making & Photography. The Reflections Program gives students an opportunity to receive recognition for their artistic works which they do on their own without help from their parents and "reflect" what they feel when given the annual theme. “Wow!” is the theme for the 2008-2009 Reflections Program.
The confidence Clarise got in having her chalk drawing chosen as part of the CFB-ISD annual art exhibit in March last year made her decide to join in the Reflections Program’s visual arts & photography categories. For the visual arts category, she submitted a drawing entitled “The Beauty of Nature” where she drew a river with a mountain background and has fishes in it and also showing the river bank with trees and lots of flying birds. According to her, seeing God’s beautiful creation always makes her say wow! Her entry in the Photography category on the other hand is a photo entitled “Ants”. She took a photo of some busy ants. She said ants make her say wow because they are so small yet so hardworking. She submitted her entries to her art teacher at Sheffield Primary in November 6, 2008. We didn’t hear anything after that. Though in my heart, I admire Clarise’s artworks, I just thought that maybe her entries weren’t good enough for the judges and didn’t win any award.
But to our surprise, we received an invitation letter last Jan. 22 from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Council of PTA’s. Clarise’s entries made it to the District judging…and the invitation said she is going to receive an award. But we really didn’t have any idea which one of her entries will or what award it will be. There are three award levels: Honorable Mention, Award of Merit and Award of Excellence. Entries receiving the Award of Excellence will advance to State judging. Reading the letter truly delighted Ryan & I but especially Clarise. She felt so proud of herself though she didn’t know what award she will get. Yesterday, January 26, the District Awards Presentation was held. Excitedly, our whole family headed to Newman Smith High School Theater 30 minutes before the scheduled time for the Primary Level awardees. When we got to the venue, Clarise & I immediately checked the recognized Visual Arts and Photography entries on exhibit. We didn’t see any of her entries there. I remembered that the invitation letter said “Recognized Visual Arts and Photography entries (except those taken to State judging) will be on display in the Theatre foyer.” That is when I realized that my daughter will be receiving the highest award level for her entry. I was in cloud nine that time…and honestly, I almost cried. I felt so proud of my daughter. I know she’s a truly bright girl…but seeing her as a 6-year old girl with a very strong personality who knows what she wants and has strong determination to see it happen, is something else. I can’t remember myself like that when I was her age. I know I’ve been really competitive in my younger days…but not until I was in 4th grade. I’ve been into a lot of Academic Contests within school level, Science Contests, Math Olympiads & Oratorical Contests that brought me into provincial level competitions…but I don’t remember winning that much…LOL. At Clarise’s age, she has already brought home a number of ribbons & medals from different contests…plus a number of certificates from her academic achievements in school. And last night, she brought home her first trophy from the Reflections Program. Only one of her entries received an award though…and that’s her photography entry. Her “Ants” photo won her an Award of Excellence. Clarise’s Photography entry is now in Austin, TX for the State Competition. No matter where she places at State level, I am very proud of her and through this post, I want to share with everyone the joy & pride that I have in being her mother…(^_^)
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