City students among state Reflections winners

Nine students in Madison City Schools were winners in the Reflections contest at the state level.

“Madison City did very well, taking first place in five categories,” Reflections coordinator Emily Cook said. “We had several second-place winners as well.” Cook described the students as “excellent young artists.”

Students create their Reflections work in the categories of literature, music, photography, visual arts, dance choreography and film/video production.

In the visual arts category, Bilal Sulton, a third-grader at Columbia Elementary School, earned first-place honors for “Diversity Means Share Our Cultures.” Lauren Handley, a senior at Bob Jones High School, won second place.

Jon Tippie captured first place for photography with “This Is a Family.” Tippie is a second-grader at Madison Elementary School.

For literature, Leah Hong, an eighth-grader at Discovery Middle School, ranked in second place with her composition, “Autumn Leaves.”

Bob Jones sophomore James Eaton earned first place in the music division. Brandon Todd, a second-grader at Columbia, was awarded first place for “People’s Song.” Victoria Van, a freshman at Discovery, took second place for “I Am Who I Am” and “Passacaglia Chaconne” for piano.

In the dance category at state competition, Megan Sheehan, a fifth-grader at Madison elementary, won first place. Genesis Phillips, a Discovery freshman, earned second place.

This year’s theme for Reflections submission was “Diversity Means …”

Founded in 1969, Reflections is a national competition that allows students in grades K-12 to express their thoughts and feelings with the creative arts. State PTAs administer the contests at their schools. Program organizers name a new theme each year.

For more information, visit ptareflections.org.