Can my child enter more than one category?

Yes! Students can enter as many categories as they like and submit multiple entries.

Can my child work with a friend?

Each entry must be the original work of one student. Dance performances can include other performers, but your child must be the choreographer.

Can my child get help?

Parents and teachers can encourage and support, but the creative work must be the student's own.

What if my child has a disability?

Students who receive services under IDEA or a 504 plan may enter the Accessible Arts Division, which offers accommodations to support full participation.

Can my child write in Spanish or another language?

Yes, Literature entries can be written in any language, as long as an English translation is included.

What do winners receive?

At the state level, Award of Excellence and Award of Merit winners receive a trophy and certificate. Honorable Mention winners receive a certificate.

Reflections Is Back at Ponce! 🎨

Ponce PTSA

5 days ago

3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Create. Celebrate. Share Your Story.

Ponce PTSA is proud to bring the National PTA Reflections Program to our school for the third consecutive year! For over 50 years, Reflections has supported arts education nationwide. Each year, more than 300,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade create original artwork inspired by a theme chosen by a student.

Ponce students have a proud history with Reflections, earning recognition at both the state and national levels. This year, it's your Explorer's turn to shine!

📅 Ponce Deadline: October 19, 2026

This Year's Theme: "What My Culture Means to Me"

This year's theme was created by a high school student from Connecticut, and it's a perfect fit for our wonderfully diverse Ponce community.

Culture can mean many things: the food your family cooks, the music you grew up with, the languages you speak, the holidays you celebrate, or the stories passed down from your grandparents. It can even be as simple as how your name is pronounced. There's no single "right" way to interpret the theme. What matters is that the work is personal and meaningful to your child.

The Six Arts Categories

Students can enter one category or several, and they can submit more than one piece.

Visual Arts: Drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and other 2D or 3D artwork.
Photography: A single photograph taken by the student. Collages or collections of photos are not accepted.
Literature: Poetry, short stories, essays, drama, and other fiction or nonfiction, up to 2,000 words. Students may write in their primary language, as long as they include an English translation. Illustrations are welcome, but only the writing is judged.
Music Composition: An original song or composition in any style, with or without lyrics. Recordings must be under 5 minutes. The student must be the composer, and middle schoolers also need to include sheet music or tablature (PDF).
Dance Choreography: Any dance style, solo or group. The student must be the choreographer and may also perform. Videos must be under 5 minutes.
Film Production: Animation, documentary, narrative, or experimental films, up to 5 minutes. The student must write, film, and edit the work. PowerPoint or slideshow-style presentations are not accepted.

What Every Entry Needs

An original piece created by your child for this year's theme. Copyrighted material and AI-generated content are not allowed. Background music is allowed in dance and film entries, but it must be credited.
A title
An artist statement of 10–100 words explaining how the work connects to the theme. Judges pay close attention to this, so encourage your child to write it thoughtfully!
A completed student entry form, signed by the student and a parent or guardian

For detailed information: https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections

Parent Registration Form & Student Entry Description

English

Spanish

Google Forms Entry Link

English

Spanish

What Happens After You Submit?

October 19, 2026: Ponce entries are due.

School-level judging: Entries are reviewed by grade division, and our top pieces are celebrated at Ponce.

November 2026: Ponce's winning entries advance to Miami-Dade County Council PTA judging.

January 2027: County winners advance to Florida PTA, where students may receive state-level Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, or Honorable Mentions.

May 1, 2027: Florida's Award of Excellence winners compete nationally, and National PTA announces its national winners.

Ponce students will compete in the Middle School division (Grades 6–8).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child enter more than one category?Yes! Students can enter as many categories as they like and submit multiple entries.
Can my child work with a friend?Each entry must be the original work of one student. Dance performances can include other performers, but your child must be the choreographer.
Can my child get help?Parents and teachers can encourage and support, but the creative work must be the student's own.
What if my child has a disability?Students who receive services under IDEA or a 504 plan may enter the Accessible Arts Division, which offers accommodations to support full participation.
Can my child write in Spanish or another language?Yes, Literature entries can be written in any language, as long as an English translation is included.
What do winners receive?At the state level, Award of Excellence and Award of Merit winners receive a trophy and certificate. Honorable Mention winners receive a certificate.

How to Get Involved

Students & Parents Join the Ponce Reflections Chat for entry forms, submission instructions, and reminders.

Volunteers Wanted! We're looking for 5–6 volunteers to launch Ponce PTSA's very first Reflections Committee. The committee will help manage this year's program and continue leading it for years to come. You don't need to be an artist, just someone who loves seeing kids create!