For any students at Plant City High School who have goals of changing the world through their art, an opportunity has arisen this fall, and it is time to start working on those influential projects.
Reflections is a competition for which students can submit their visual art, photography, literature, music composition, film production and dance choreography. There is also a Special Artist division for students who have physical, cognitive or mental disabilities recognized by ADA guidelines. Students who enter at PCHS could be selected to continue on to the Hillsborough County competition, and from there, potentially the state and national levels. Even those who do not win in their category, are eligible to advance.
Although the National PTA has sponsored Reflections for decades and Tomlin Middle School and Walden Lake Elementary School have a history of participation, this is PCHS’ first year.
This year’s theme is: “The world would be a better place if …” Students will be judged based on their skill, creativity and adherence to the theme. PTSA President Yvonne Fry will be confirming the judges soon, but a final decision had not been made yet as of press time.
Sunni Baerwalde is the PTSA representative who is organizing the competition. Baerwalde is a professional vocalist and wants Reflections to encourage students in their own artistic endeavors, as well as provide a college resume booster for them.
“Because it’s our first year doing it, I’m really having to create this thing all new,” Baerwalde said.
Two work days were held Sept. 15 and 17, in art department head Niki Carpenter’s classroom. Arts faculty was available for advice and critique.
Carpenter said she had been encouraging many of her upper-level students, including those in her photography class, to enter Reflections. Though entries are not due until mid-October, some students are already forming ideas for what they might submit.
Zoe Wills, a junior in Carpenter’s first-hour mixed art class, wants her project to focus on female empowerment in developing countries, and specifically, the Middle East. Samantha Sun, another student of Carpenter, is considering a similar idea about women’s rights.
“The world would be a better place if women were held up to a higher standard in other countries,” Sun said. “I really don’t like the idea of the one-child policy in China. … Let’s find a more moral way to fix the population. So I’m going to develop that and see what I can do.”
The National PTA created the admission forms and requires each student to write a thesis statement about how his or her piece fits the theme.
“The theme is what they’re judged on probably more than anything else,” Baerwalde said. “We want to make sure on the local level that they’ve gotten that correct … and that they’ve expressed themselves well.”
Baerwalde is planning a reception to display applicants’ visual artwork and announce the winners. The location will be determined after the deadline for entering has passed, so Baerwalde knows how many students to expect.
As prizes for the winners, Baerwalde is hoping to have gift cards that relate to each genre of art. For example, the winner for musical competition might get a gift card from Guitar Center, but the prize for dance choreography could be a gift card from a dance studio or supply store.
Entry forms are due Oct. 1. To submit an entry or ask a question about Reflections, contact Sunni Baerwalde at (813) 951-8953 or pchsreflections@gmail.com.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Oct. 1: Entry forms are due
Oct. 9: Entries are due
Oct. 14 to 16: Entries will be judged
Nov. 4: Awards reception at 6:30 p.m. (Location TBD)