No losers in PTA’s program

As the Reflections Chair for Conejo Council’s PTA Reflections program, which is a national recognition program, I’d like to take this opportunity to comment on a recent article.

It’s great that she speaks her mind, but Miss Zussman has made an error––she is a winner and so is every child who participates in the Reflections program.

The primary goal of the Reflections program is to promote both appreciation of and participation in the arts. This is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms.

Creating art is a valuable learning process, which challenges students to use critical thinking skills and creative talents simultaneously, to create art that supports a specific theme.

The Reflections program also provides opportunities for students to receive positive recognition for original works of art while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.

While “contest” is the style of the program, it is certainly not the emphasis and we all know that art is subjective.

There are many different levels at which the students may receive the honor of representing their school, city, county or state with their entries. If their entry is one that’s chosen to move along to another level, terrific, but they are winners before that because they have taken the time to express themselves artistically.

There is only room for a few entries from each group to be selected and then for even fewer to be forwarded to the next level, which grows exponentially.

Every single child who takes the initiative to participate is a winner. Each year I am amazed by the talent these kids possess. Kathee Hans Conejo Council PTA Reflections chair Thousand Oaks