After an impressive turnout of submissions from all four San Marino Unified schools, a whopping 136 entries were received by the 2023 PTA Reflections chairs.
The deadline was Oct. 18 at midnight, and since then the judges have been hard at work deciding the winners. The theme for this year’s art contest is “I am hopeful because….”
The judges were given score cards and grading instructions and all art submissions were judged blindly, with only the title and artist statement attached. Out of the three categories, judges were asked to score between 1-40 points for the interpretation of the theme, 1-30 points for creativity and 1-30 points for technique.
San Marino High School received 23 entries in the categories of visual arts, literature and dance choreography. This year’s turnout was credited in part to Michelle Pauline, who encouraged all visual and performing arts students to submit their art.
Valentine Elementary School had 18 student participants this year.
“We are so proud of the work that was accomplished by our creatives,” said Valentine chair Stephanie White. “Our students submitted 11 submissions in the visual arts category and four submissions in literature. In photography, there were three submissions. We cannot wait to showcase all our wonderful students and our winners on Nov. 7.”
Carver Elementary School, meanwhile, received a total of 58 entries in all the categories. There were 34 entries were received for visual arts (both 2-D and 3-D), six entries for music composition, six entries for dance choreography, six entries for photography and six entries for literature, according to Carver co-chairs Christie Chon and Jeannette Hao.
Joyce Lin, the Huntington Middle School chair, reported receiving 25 entries across the categories of visual arts, literature, film production, music composition and photography.
The winners will be honored on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when all of the artwork will be displayed near the SMUSD District Office on 1665 West Drive. All are invited to drop by for some light refreshments and a chance to see the entries up close. The event will start promptly at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
“Don’t forget to vote and come see the 2023 PTA Reflections Showcase,” said Yvonne Cheng, SMHS PTA Council Reflections chair.
First published in the Nov. 2 issue of the San Marino Tribune
