Students take part in the Reflections Program
Published 2:57 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
A large number of North Bend Elementary students and their
parents participated in something special this year: the Reflections Program.
The Reflections Program is a national and Washington State PTA cultural
arts competition, created in 1969 as a way for children to create and be
recognized for original works of art based on a preselected theme. Through
the program, children who have never tried creating a piece of art get
the chance to experiment and feel good about their work.
This year’s theme was “Anything is Possible …” There were four
categories of participation: visual arts, literature, music and photography.
This was the first year that North Bend Elementary School
participated in the program. NBE parent Katy Sansburn put together a committee
of other parents including Shawn Boynton, Kerry Crowley, Patti
Gates, Janie Magnan, Lynn McCulley, Robin Sims-Brown, Christy Thayer
and Tricia Walker. The committee focused on gaining student participation
and involvement.
The committee made program presentations at PTA meetings and
school assemblies, while the “Reflections Characters” visited classrooms to
generate excitement. Students worked on their creations at home (without
parent or teacher help) and at specially sponsored school recess times.
Forty-nine NBE students participated in the program this year.
They were Lisa Eytel, Rachel Apone, Samantha Prins, Brandon
Deach, Charlene Sikos, Willie Jensen, Amanda Sikos, Heidi Spohn,
Erik Spohn, Leah Ketchum, Brianna Thurston, Cailee Olson,
Brenham Jacobs, Christine Pochop, Ashley Stringfellow, Rhiannon
Thayer, Nicholas Crandell, Alex Pease, Megan McCulley, Hayley Koellen,
Jessica Adams, Kara Clearman, Kristin Walker, Amanda Gates, Taylor
Van Cleave, Alex Crandell, Tyler Walker, Benjamin Olson, Tess
Sollitto, Stephen Eytel, Maggie Burrows, Erin Reeh, Kasey Channita, Annie
Lynn Horsch, Katricia Stewart, Jayme Harris, Jesse Reeh, Sarah Pohle,
Megan Horsch, Genna Magnan, Christina Finley, Asher Hingston, Heather
Furnish, Nicole Deach, Zachary Boynton, Gene Marie Thompson,
Timothy Proudfoot, Lael Keitto and Peyton McCulley.
Four of the participants placed in the program and their work will
advance to the state level for further judging: Samantha Prins, visual
arts; Erik Spohn, literature; Stephen Eytel, photography and Amanda Sikos,
music. Depending on their placement in the state judging, they could go on
to the national level.
On Monday, Jan. 31, North Bend Elementary held a special assembly to
honor the children who were involved with the program. A slide show
showcased all the entries and everyone who entered the contest received a
special ribbon and pencil as recognition.
The participating students entered their names for a drawing to
have lunch with the principal. Zachary Boynton, Nicholas Crandell,
Lisa Eytel, Amanda Gates and Jesse Reeh had a fun-filled pizza party with
Mrs. Sirianni after the assembly.
The student’s creations are now available for viewing at the
following local businesses: Blockbuster Video, the North Bend Theatre,
MarketPlace, Pufferbellies, QFC and Safeway in North Bend. They will remain on
display for the next few weeks.
