From left, Danielle Bettencourt, Jamie Dawson, Kayla Myrick and Polly Johns are the Lower Lake High School winners of the PTSA Reflections art contest held recently. Photo courtesy of Roberta Lyons.

LOWER LAKE – The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at Lower Lake High School held a successful “Reflections,” Art Contest recently, with one of the participants, Kayla Myrick, chosen to move on to the State level in the essay category of the contest.

The theme of the contest, presented by the National Parent Teachers Association (PTA) for 2007-08 was: “I Can Make a Difference By.”

Kayla’s winning essay focused on her teachers at Lower Lake High School, how they have influenced her, and made her want to “make a difference,” as they have made a difference in her life.

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs and PTSAs to recognize students at the local, council, district, state and national levels.

Entries are first judged on the local level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTSA at the next level. Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may submit entries on a national level.

The areas of art include: literature, musical composition, photography, visual arts, dance choreography, and film/video production.

Local winners included: LLHS student, Jamie Dawson who took first place in photography with her photo: “Hands Across the World.” Danielle Bettencourt took second place with “When Dreamers Become Champions,” a picture of the LLHS Varsity football players after making the play-offs for the first time in 10 years. Danielle also received third place for her photo: “Makers of Legends.”

Kayla Myrick received first place in the Literature category for: “I Can Make A Difference by Teaching.” Danielle Bettencourt received second and third for: “I Can’t Be Like That,” and “My Return.”

In Visual Arts, first place went to Polly Johns for a pen and colored pencil work entitled: “Peace for Change.”

Local businesses donated prizes to the local winners. Many thanks to these businesses for rewarding the participants in the contest: Wild About Books, Rite Aid, Kevin Ness Jewelers and Toni’s Baking Emporium, Clearlake; Happy Garden Restaurant, Clearlake Oaks; and Radio Shack, Clearlake. PTSA student member, Kate Lyons, chaired the contest.

PTA believes that all children deserve a quality art education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition and involves students from preschool through grade 12.

For more information about the LLHS PTSA, contact Roberta Lyons at (707) 994-2024. The organization is looking for new members and volunteers. It is offering a $200 scholarship to a college bound senior this year and is promoting the escrip fundraiser to fund the scholarship and other activities to benefit Lower Lake High School.

To learn more about escrip, go to www.esrip.com. If you want to participate in the program by registering your grocery card or Visa, type in the LLHS PTSA group ID number: 6530904 for an easy and safe way to contribute to your child’s education at Lower Lake High School.

The PTSA is also sponsoring an open mike creative reading night at Lower Lake High School on Wednesday, March 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the new library.

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