Two local students received the highest honors awarded during this year’s Texas PTA Reflections contest. The contest, which received more than 1,000 entries for state-wide judging, invites students to submit works in the categories of visual arts, dance choreography, music composition, film production, photography and literature.
Besher Garcia, a student at Clayton Elementary in Austin ISD, received an Outstanding Interpretation award for “Boys Can Dance,” a choreography piece. View the piece at bit.ly/2p9GvFW.
“This dance is about my story and how I’ve had to overcome the negativity of being a boy dancer,” Garcia says in introducing his piece.
Sho Humphries, a student at Cedar Valley Middle School in Round Rock ISD, received an Outstanding Interpretation award for “Making Summer Memories,” a musical composition. Hear the piece at bit.ly/2qw0aoj.
Garcia and Humphries joined five other local students whose submissions advanced to the national competition. Students receiving an Overall Award of Excellence at the state level included Gracie Slater, a student at Old Town Elementary in Round Rock ISD, for “Rooted in Love,” a visual arts piece; Drew Wilson, a student at Dripping Springs Middle School in Dripping Springs ISD, for “Choosing My Colors,” a photography piece; James Bartling, a student at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs ISD, for “My Story,” a musical composition; Ishika Pande, a student at Parkside Elementary in Leader ISD, for “Accept Me As I Am,” a choreography piece; and Vishwak Ashokkumar, a student at Sommer Elementary in Round Rock ISD, for “My Goal is Become an Astronaut,” a photography piece.
In the national competition, Garcia, Humphries and Ashokkumar were honored with Awards of Excellence.
Besher Garcia’s piece “Boys Can’t Dance” received the highest award in the Texas PTA Reflections contest.
