Laila Jones, seventh-grade student at Churchland Middle School, came in second place in the National
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Reflections competition in the middle school literature category. Jones
wrote an entry based on the year’s theme, “I Matter Because…”
To compete at the national level, Jones won first place in the local, council, district and state
competitions. Being placed as second in the nation, Jones received a $200 Young Artist Scholarship, a
silver medal, certificate of excellence and her work with be featured in the National PTA’s traveling
exhibition.
According to the National PTA, the Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and
access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Each year, more
than 300,000 students in prekindergarten through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a
student-selected theme. Student winners from the local level have the opportunity to move up through
their district, region, council and state PTA programs to the national level, and are judged based on
interpretation, creativity and technique.