Student First/Last Name	Arts Category	Title of Work	Grade	Award	Links
Leah Nielson	Film production	Amazing Leah	Kinder	Overall Award of Excellence (Advancing to state level)	Link to View
Octaviana Grasty	Literature	Alexis's Story: Personal Acceptance	Fourth Grade	Award of Merit	Link to View
Charlee Elizabeth Penn	Visual arts	I am... Artist	Fifth Grade	Participation Award	Link to View
Sanmita Vaddagiri	Visual arts	Inclusivity and Kindness	Fourth grade	Award of Merit	Link to View
Dhriti Koundinya	Visual arts	Accepting Imperfections	Fourth grade	Award of Excellence	Link to View
Sofia DeVaul	Visual arts	The Imperfect Pancake	Second grade	Award of Merit	Link to View

 

 

2024 Arts in Education/Reflections 

Have a question about the Reflections program? Please contact COE PTA's Reflection Chair Raya Koryagina at reflections@chandleroakspta.org 

 

ENTER SUBMISSION HERE

 

Each year, the PTA Reflections/Arts in Education program offers students a platform to express their unique perspectives and interpretation of a student-created theme. For the 2024-2025 school year, the theme is “Accepting Imperfection,” a concept created by Paige Opaska from San Antonio, Texas who won the 2022 Reflections Theme Search Contest.  

This theme powerfully reminds us that our flaws and mistakes are as integral to who we are as our strengths, reflecting the natural and beautiful essence of being human.

 

"Accepting Imperfection’ is a reminder to myself that mistakes are welcome because they are a part of being human. Our flaws are as much a part of us as our strengths, so being imperfect should be perfect enough for us.”

Paige Opaska

 

Perfection is largely a subjective concept, shaped by societal and community expectations. In our fast-paced, perfection-oriented world, the pressure to appear perfect has become more intense. Both students and adults often feel this pressure, yet "Accepting Imperfection," or embracing flaws rather than rejecting them, is a personal and meaningful process.

Some students may feel an overwhelming urge to be flawless, driven by their own expectations, their families, or society. They may chase perfection relentlessly, only to find disappointment, as the perfection they seek is often unattainable. This pursuit can lead to stress, anxiety, and a persistent feeling of inadequacy.

On the other hand, some students view imperfection as part of their path to success. They see mistakes and flaws as opportunities for growth, recognizing that each misstep helps build skills, character, and resilience. For these individuals, imperfection becomes a source of motivation rather than a barrier.

 

Exploring Creative Interpretations of the Theme 

Because “Accepting Imperfection” is a personal experience and concept, there are endless possibilities for artistic expression across the PTA Reflections arts categories:  

• Dance Choreography: A dancer might choreograph a piece that highlights moments of imbalance or missteps, weaving these “mistakes” into the performance to show that they are expressions of humanity and growth. 

• Music Composition: Musicians can explore imperfection by embracing the natural variability in performances. A piece doesn’t need to be flawless to be powerful; often, it’s the slight deviations and emotional nuances that make it memorable. 

• Photography: Photographs can capture the beauty of candid, unposed moments or highlight unique flaws—wrinkles, scars or everyday messiness—which can tell a more compelling story than a picture-perfect image. 

• Literature: Writers can explore imperfection through storytelling about a character who finds strength in their flaws or through an acrostic poem that uses each line to celebrate a different, personal imperfection.  

• Visual Arts: Drawings, paintings and sculptures can elevate imperfections as the true standard of beauty, contrasting them with traditionally “perfect” elements to emphasize the value of the imperfect.  

• Film Production: Film makers can capture and edit day-to-day footage to create a narrative that showcases the beauty of everyday life, using cinematic techniques to explore how the world would look if ordinary people, not Hollywood, defined perfection. 

CONTESTANT INFORMATION

All entries must include a title and an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include 10-100 words.

A member of your household must be a PTA member (anyone can join for $10). If you have not joined Chandler Oaks PTA yet, you can do so here. 

Entry Forms and Rules

Students should download the Program Rules to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form.

• Student Program Rules (English)
• Student Program Rules (Spanish)
• Student Entry Form 

 

Category Rules Individually 

The Student Program Rules and Student Entry Form can be found on the Eligibility & Participation page. If you wish to download the category rules individually, they are linked below:

• General Rules
• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Music Composition
• Photography
• Visual Arts
• Special Artist Rules
• Single Page Rules

 

Make sure to read PTA eNews and follow the COE PTA Facebook page to get the latest information. You can also email Reflections@chandleroakspta.org for more information.