TMS PTSA welcomes all students. To ensure everyone can participate fully, please email [email protected] to discuss any access requirements or accommodations needed.
Thank you to all the students who participated in this year's Reflections Art Program!
Thank you to the amazing judges for volunteering your time & expertise to judge these submissions!
Congratulations to the following TMS students for winning awards at the District Level and advancing to the State level!
Everyone is invited to the LWPTSA Reflections Open House on Friday Jan 23rd from 5-7PM at the Lake Washington Resource Center. All submissions by students who advanced to the District Level will be on display. If you cannot make the Open House, all visual arts and photography entries will be on display from Jan 21-26 during business hours.
We received 17 submissions in 5 categories, and 10 have advanced to the district level. We were amazed to see so many creative and unique interpretations of the theme!
Congratulations to the following Timberline students for advancing to the district level! View their work and artist statements below:
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Mishka L , 6th Grade : We Belong (Visual Arts) My painting depicts six girls. The uniforms symbolize common experiences which build community and their backpacks represent their own interests. This relates to the theme as they are different but in the end, are a community and belong. |
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Saisha K, 6th Grade : Assembled Grace (Visual Arts) A man ballerina on a puzzle. To many this seems against stereotypical gender roles. The puzzle mirrors humanity’s search for identity and belonging. As the fragments connect, the image of a strong graceful man emerges – defying rigid definitions of masculinity. Each piece signifies self-acceptance and rejection of the “misfit” label. The complete picture celebrates authenticity: a man confidently pursuing his passion, asserting his right to be seen and valued as he is. “I belong” becomes not a request but a truth. That every unique individual contributes to the vibrant, collective puzzle of humanity by embracing their own beautiful difference. |
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Rishika C, 7th Grade : The Golden Passage (Visual Arts) I walk through the familiar corridor, tracing my fingers along the cool stone walls. The faint scent of candle wax and dust lingers as a golden glow guides me upward. Each echoing step pulls me closer to the life I once left behind. A voice whispers that I am still part of this place. The light wraps around me, warm and forgiving. I realize now — the love I feel for this place never faded; it only waited to be found again. The golden light was leading me back to myself. I belong. |
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Dharanidhrut G, 7th Grade : Best of Both Worlds (Photography) Best of Both Worlds, shows how one can belong to multiple cultures simultaneously. I photographed my mother, who carries the heart of both her Indian roots and her American wings. Here, she appears in two different outfits — one showing her praying to God in traditional Indian style, and the other celebrating Christmas with warmth and joy. Through this photo, I wanted to show that belonging isn’t about choosing just one world. It’s about embracing both — the traditions that ground us and the dreams that help us fly. Together, they make us who we are — belonging to both worlds. |
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Inaya A, 8th Grade : Voices Within (Photography) Without his friends, the world has no color to it for him. He is scared to speak, but in his head he thinks of his friends, and with them he is happy, colorful, and feels like he belongs with them. |
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Shria S, 6th Grade : Two Worlds, One Song (Music) My song “I Belong” is about love, happiness, and finding where I truly fit in. Moving from India to the United States made me reflect on what belonging means. I discovered that I belong wherever love exists—with my family, friends, and in my music. I love many genres, from Indian classical to pop and modern styles, and I wanted to bring them together in this song. By blending guitar melodies with Indian classical rhythms, I connected my two worlds. Creating this song filled me with joy and pride, reminding me that I belong wherever music and love are. |
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Ira R, 8th Grade : Smart! (Literature) It is scientifically proven that those with higher IQs grasp more information. I strongly resonated with this growing up, always stuck in my mind. In my work, the brief sentences signifying these constant fleeting thoughts. While everyone told me how lucky I was, those voices felt like a cacophony. I started to question whether I should be grateful, or if I should curse this crippling pressure. And the only way to fight this is to understand that belonging doesn't mean being content or alike, it means to be seen. |
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Ritwin S, 7th Grade: The Greatest Gift I’ve Received (Literature) My essay is about my experience in 6th grade, when I first joined the Math Club. At first, I didn’t feel like I belonged, due to a bad test score. However, due to the support and encouragement of those around me in Math Club, I soon started to feel like I belonged. This experience has prepared me for the future, and has taught me that I should always be a pillar of support for anyone who felt the same way I did: like they didn’t belong in a community. |
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Satvik N, 8th Grade: I Belong (Literature) “I Belong” reflects that every living being shares one home—the Earth. From ants to elephants, Aphids to sharks, all are bound by the same soil, air, and water. The sun and moon shine equally on rich and poor, and the seasons change for all alike. Through this poem, I hope to remind readers that worth is not measured by size, wealth, or power, but by our shared connection to the world and to one another. In recognizing this unity, we rediscover the universal truth that we all belong. |
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Dharanidhrut G, 7th Grade : The Community (Film) In my film, I used LEGO bricks of different colors, sizes, and characters to show the theme I Belong. The different pieces represent how people come from many backgrounds and cultures. Even though we may look or seem different, we all come together to build one strong and safe community — a place where everyone belongs. This is where I belong — in a community that values our differences and builds something beautiful together. |
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Reflections is a National PTA and Washington State PTA arts recognition program. This program provides an opportunity for students to explore and express their own thoughts, feelings and ideas through art. View the National PTA Reflections Promo Video.
This year’s theme is “I Belong”
Students create an original work of art based on the theme and may submit an entry in one or more of the six categories:
| Dance Choreography | Film Production | Literature |
| Music Composition | Photography | Visual Arts |
Entries are judged on originality, creative ability and interpretation of the theme. The top 10 entries from Timberline will advance to compete at the district level, with potential to advance to the state and national level.
All entries are due on Monday Nov 3rd, 2025.
Questions? Please contact [email protected] or visit Reflections FAQs
Any student at TMS can submit an entry in the Middle School Division (Grade 6-8) or the Accessible Art Division (formerly known as Special Artist Division, an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act.)
Each year, the National PTA holds the Reflections theme search contest. The student whose entry is chosen as the winner will receive $100 prize from the National PTA and have their theme presented at the National PTA Convention in 2026!
This year the National PTA is looking for a theme for the Reflections program to be held in 2027-2028. Students may submit their theme idea by November 3, 2025, to The Washington State PTA Programs Committee and the top 5 submissions from Washington State will advance to the National PTA.
Washington Reflections Them Search Entry Form and Submission Details
Questions about Theme Search Contest, contact ptaprogdir@wastatepta.org
view pdf
We unfortunately do not have a way 
