National art awards for three D58 students

National art awards for three D58 students

Three District 58 students earned national recognition in the 2023-24 PTA Reflections Art Program. They were out of seven in all from Illinois and more than 900 national-level student submissions.

  • Mitchell O., 2nd grader from Lester, won for his literature entry. He will receive an Award of Excellence, a $200 Young Artist Scholarship, a Silver Medal and Certificate of Excellence. 
  • Anneliese M., Kindergarten, Pierce Downer won a Merit Award for her film production. 
  • Zachary Y, 8th grade, Herrick, won a Merit Award for his dance choreography

They both will receive a Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit.

All the National award winners will be honored on the National PTA’s website and social media channels throughout the year, as well as viewed in a digital exhibition.

In all, following two rounds of rigorous review by arts professionals at the national level, 223 students from 45 State PTA Congresses were selected for national-level recognition for their artwork.

The PTA Reflections Art Program annually recognizes elementary through high school students from around the country for 55 years. Every year, students are asked to use their artistic expression and initiative in Film Production, Dance Choreography, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts to reshape the theme in their own way. This year, students were asked to reflect on the theme “I am Hopeful Because...” 

Previously, six District 58 students advanced from the state to the national level of the PTA Reflections arts program.