Reflections

“I Belong!”

Every year, students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad participate in the Reflections Theme Search Contest. In this competition, students submit unique and inspiring theme suggestions to inspire a future Reflections program cycle. State PTAs select the top five finalists and advance the submissions to National PTA, where they go through multiple stages of review by National PTA volunteer leadership.  

Reviewers look for submissions that are focused, neither too narrow nor too broad, inspiring, and unique in comparison to past program themes. Additionally, because Reflections themes are selected two years in advance, reviewers also seek themes that will be relevant in the future.  

With these considerations in mind, reviewers selected the theme “I Belong!,” which was submitted by Ben Morgan, a 6th grader from Lewis and Clark Middle School PTSA in Boise, Idaho! Ben’s winning theme, “I Belong!” was selected from over 75 other entries from 17 state PTAs. As the Theme Search Contest winner, Ben has earned $100 and will inspire thousands of students across the country to create artwork during the 2025-2026 Reflections program.  Ben shared his inspiration, that he wanted to create “a theme that many people could relate to.” When asked what “I Belong!” means to him, Ben shared: “I have found belonging with my family and friends. The people in my classes can also be like part of my family, even though we aren’t directly related. For me, “I Belong!” means I know where I am accepted, and I know that I can be myself there without being criticized or judged.” 

The Reflections Art Program has brought the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members and families are at the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.

Reflections encourages students of all ages to:

• Unleash creative talents and be inspired

• Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork

• Experience the fun and joy of making art

• Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme

• Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.

Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated, and judged by five grade-level divisions. The Accessible Arts division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence, or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries, then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.