PTA Reflections is Now Open for Entries!
PTA Reflections is now open for entries! Aldrin students in grades K–6 can share original artwork inspired by the 2026–2027 theme, “What My Culture Means to Me.”
PTA Reflections is Now Open for Entries!
This Year's Theme
Each year, the National PTA Reflections program invites students to express their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas through the arts. For the 2026–2027 school year, the theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.”
Students may submit original artwork inspired by the theme in one or more of the six arts categories. Every student is recognized for their creativity, and local winners can advance through the district, region, council, and state levels — all the way to the national level.
Key Dates
Aldrin PTA’s local entry deadline is Friday, November 20, 2026. The later milestones below describe how entries advance through other PTA levels; they are not additional Aldrin submission dates. (Source for the broader timeline: National PTA full-year Reflections calendar (PDF).)
Aldrin PTA Entry Deadline
Submit your entry to Aldrin PTA by Friday, November 20, 2026. Local review follows.
Council, District & Region PTA Deadlines & Review
Local winners advance and are reviewed at the council, district, and region levels.
State PTA Deadline & Review
Winners advance to Virginia PTA for state-level review. Plan to give yourself a two-week cushion before the national deadline.
National PTA Deadline & Review
State winners advance to National PTA for national-level judging.
How to Participate
Pick a category
Choose one or more arts categories. Tap a category to read its official guidelines and requirements.
Review the guidelines
Each category has its own requirements for materials, size or file format. Read the National PTA category guidelines for your chosen category before creating your entry.
Create your artwork
Make new, original work inspired by “What My Culture Means to Me.” National PTA requires each entry to be created by one student. If you use digital tools, include a brief description of how you used them. See the National PTA guide for students and families for basic entry requirements.
Write your artist statement
Give your work an original title and explain how it relates to the theme in your artist statement. See National PTA’s title and artist statement tips.
Then use How to Submit Your Entry below to send your work to Aldrin PTA by Friday, November 20, 2026. Questions about participation? Email reflections@aldrinpta.org.
How to Submit Your Entry
Submit your Reflections entry to Aldrin PTA by Friday, November 20, 2026. Choose the option that works for your artwork:
Digital Entry
Best for music, film, dance, and other media. Complete the online entry form to submit your digital entry to the Reflections Committee.
Open the Online Entry FormPrintable Entry Form
Best for visual art, photography prints, and literature. Print the official entry form, fill it out, and attach it to the back of your artwork.
Download the Entry Form (PDF)Bringing your artwork to school? Students may bring finished artwork with a completed Entry Form attached to the back to Aldrin’s front office by Friday, November 20, 2026.
National-Level Prizes for Top Winners
Merit Award
Bronze Medal, Certificate of Merit, and your work featured in the virtual exhibition.
Award of Excellence
$200 Young Artist Scholarship, Silver Medal, Certificate of Excellence, and your work featured in the virtual exhibition.
Outstanding Interpretation Award
$800 Young Artist Scholarship, Gold Medal, Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation, your work featured in the virtual exhibition, and a $200 prize for the local PTA unit.
Official Resources & Helper Materials
Learn the rules, get inspired, and prepare a winning entry with these official resources from National PTA:
Links open the official National PTA website in a new tab.
Questions?
Have questions about the Reflections program? Email Lee-Anne Griffin at reflections@aldrinpta.org
Enjoy making art! 🎨