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The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

PTSA Reflections contest names finalists

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art by Dzung Nguyen
The Missouri PTA announced the state finalists of the annual PTA Reflections contest on Jan. 11, with eight RBHS students among the ranks.
Sophomore Kristine Cho, senior Nicole Schroeder and junior Madison Wright advanced to state in the Literature category, with senior Wendy Zhang and junior Dzung Nguyen joining them in Visual Arts. Seniors Alice Yu and Arnold Chen, as well as junior Martin Shapiro qualified, under Music Composition.
In March, the PTA will announce which students placed at the state competition. These winners will receive an invitation to the annual Missouri Reflections convention showcase in April, RBHS PTSA Reflections co-chair Deb Linneman said. While the chances of receiving state recognition change each year, since the number of entries submitted fluctuate per year, the accomplishment does not go unnoticed, Linneman said.
“Local PTA/PTSA units throughout the state of MO are eligible to submit up to three student entries per art category,” Linneman said. “…It is quite an honor to have eight student entries advance to the state of Missouri PTA Reflections judging level.”
[quote cite=”Kristine Cho”]A big inspiration for me was built up over the years of hearing and learning little bits here and there about intellectual movements and society-wide change. What really fascinates me is how such new ideas are formed, who pioneers them, who dares to step outside the frame of mind that they grew up [in].[/quote] The theme selected for this year was ‘Let Your Imagination Fly’, meant to allow students to use their creativity however they wished, Linneman said. Nguyen used hers to depict a woman kneeling at the waters that hide an underwater city, citing mystery and impossibility as her inspiration.
“The idea behind the piece is that there are things that we cannot perceive with our eyes, and by looking deeper, we can discover aspects of our world we have never encountered or expected to exist,” Nguyen said. “I used my imagination to create a functioning underwater city, which is something that we currently think is impossible. I hope that this piece will inspire viewers to let their imagination take them to places they have never been to before.”
Unlike the intrigue Nguyen drew upon, Cho’s creativity rose from the timeless struggle for change. In her poem, ‘Wildfire’, she describes a phoenix rising from its own ashes and breaking out of its cage to fly free. Cho said this was meant to be a metaphor for the aforementioned fight.
“A big inspiration for me was built up over the years of hearing and learning little bits here and there about intellectual movements and society-wide change,” Cho said. “What really fascinates me is how such new ideas are formed, who pioneers them, who dares to step outside the frame of mind that they grew up [in].”
Despite often qualifying for state, the result came as a surprise to Cho because of the nature of her piece.
“I normally write an essay of some sorts, but this year, I decided to do differently [by writing a poem],” Cho said. “I’m pretty sure this is the first poem of this length I’ve written, so I was pretty nervous to turn it in. I wasn’t too sure that it’d do well, but I’m glad that at least someone liked it enough to go to state.”
Cho and Nguyen, along with their fellow contest winners, eagerly anticipate the results of the State competition. Linneman does as well, happy to see their interest in the contest, and hopes to see this interest and involvement grow.
“The interest has continued to grow over the past two years for this program and the number of entries have increased,” Linneman said. “We are excited about this program and want to create an awareness that this opportunity is available for all RBHS students interested in the art areas.” 
How do you ‘let your imagination fly’? Leave a comment below!

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