District 58 recognizes 2024-25 PTA Reflections participants

reflections students

40 District 58 projects will advance to the regional Reflections competition

The Downers Grove Area Council of PTAs and Downers Grove Grade School District 58 celebrated more than 100 students who advanced to the council level of the PTA Reflections program during a ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at O’Neill Middle School. They also announced the 40 students whose project submissions will advance to the regional level of the competition. Click here to view the PTA Reflections photo gallery.

“Through Reflections, students can stretch their imaginations and use their creativity to produce absolutely incredible works of art. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to showcase these young artists and celebrate their work!” said Lisa Arnett Swantek, Johanna Lewandowski and Jacque Morgan, this year’s Downers Grove PTA Council Reflections co-chairs.

Reflections is a national PTA arts recognition and achievement program for students. According to the National PTA Reflections website: “Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.”

Through Reflections, District 58 students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to submit works of art in six areas: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The theme for the 2024-25 program is "Accepting Imperfection." The Illinois PTA will likely announce the Regional PTA Reflections award recipients next month.

District 58 students who will advance to regionals are:

Belle Aire

  • Hank P., Music Composition
  • Brynn M., Photography
  • Henry H., Photography
  • Lucy S., Visual Arts

Fairmount

  • Rachel C., Photography
  • Elizabeth L., Visual Arts

Herrick

  • George O., Literature
  • Juilana S., Literature
  • Kendra W., Dance Choreography

Henry Puffer

  • Piper F., Visual Arts
  • Aida A., Dance Choreography

Highland

  • Sydney M., Dance Choreography

Hillcrest

  • Tommy D., Visual Arts
  • Haabil B., Photography and Literature (two projects)
  • Teagan H., Literature
  • Greta H., Literature

Indian Trail

  • Skylar K., Literature
  • Dell H., Visual Arts

Kingsley

  • Vivian G., Visual Arts

Lester

  • Eddie A., Visual Arts
  • Lydia O., Photography
  • Lydia S., Photography
  • Ashley E., Dance Choreography

O’Neill

  • Shagun S., Visual Arts
  • Sean C., Photography
  • Anna L., Visual Arts
  • Nora J., Film Production

Pierce Downer

  • Josh M., Music Composition
  • Lucy R., Music Composition
  • Anand K., Music Composition
  • Dylan M., Photography
  • Oliver S., Visual Arts
  • Julia R., Literature

Whittier

  • Evelyn O., Dance Composition
  • Clara W., and Elsie O., Film Production
  • Molly T., Literature
  • Matilda Y., Dance Composition
  • Darby S., Dance Composition
  • Rachel A., Photography

In addition, the ceremony recognized three students from the DeLay-Lace PTA in District 61, which falls under the Downers Grove PTA Council. One of the District 61 students, Makayla C., will advance to the regional level in the Visual Arts category.