The Connection

The Potomac Elementary PTA honored 35 Potomac Elementary students on Nov. 10 for their achievement in the arts in the annual national PTA Reflections art contest. The students received awards for creating original works of art, and were given their awards by literature judge and professional writer Colleen Healy of the Almanac; visual arts judge and artist Yolanda Prinsloo; and photography judge and professional photographer Dan Gross.

Nearly 300,000 students from across the country and in American schools overseas participate annually in the program. The awards program spans six arts categories: dance choreography, film production, music composition, photography, literature, and visual arts across four grade divisions. This year, students explored the arts and the world around them through the theme “Let your imagination fly.”

Last year Potomac Elementary artists received county, state, national and international distinction in the contest. Elliott Koschalk, fourth grade, won a national honor in the visual arts competition with his work “Conscious Carbon Footprints.” His piece is currently touring in art galleries across the U.S. Sarim Haider, a current 6th grader, competed at state for his piano music composition “Wind of the Levanter,” and he went on to win an international music competition and was flown to Austria to perform his piece live at the Viennese Opera House this past July.

“We are so proud of our students and the unusual works of art they are inspired to create each year for the Reflections contest. Their energy, enthusiasm and talents help build a school culture where learning, beauty and exploration thrive,” said Dr. Catherine Allie, principal of Potomac Elementary.

For additional information, see http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/potomaces.

Potomac Elementary School Reflections Artists 2015

Music

"Inner Artist" Elyssa Shenker, 5th, 1st Place

Film

"Come Fly Away With Me" Christopher Lindsay, 4th, 1st Place

Literature K-2

"Invisible Piano" Evelyn Kertajaya, 2nd, Honorable Mention

"A Spider's Trip to the Shoe Store" Dylan Zacharia, 1st, Honorable Mention

"Imagine If..." Kate Mizushima, 2nd, 3rd Place

"The Three Kitties" Zoe Tang, 2nd, 2nd Place

"My Shadow Buddy" Kenneth Shue, 2nd, 1st Place

Literature 3-5

"The Universe's Imagination" Aniela Bies, 5th, Honorable Mention

"The Kid Who Played For the Chargers" William Kertajaya, 5th, Honorable Mention

"Let Your Imagination Fly Through Drawing" Marlie Wells, 4th, Honorable Mention

"Welcome to Funland" Justin Zacharia, 4th, Honorable Mention

"Draw What You Imagine" Evelyn Shue, 5th, 3rd Place

"The Airfield" Benjamin Hann, 5th, 2nd Place

"The Magic Mushroom" Caroline Chou, 5th, 1st Place

Photography K-2

"All Together We are Strong" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Playing Outside" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Different is Beautiful" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Old Days on the Farm" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Time Traveller" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"My Brother's Imagination is Out of This World!" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Magic Pumpkin" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Special Us" Kate Mizushima, 2nd, Honorable Mention

"Caterpillar on a Leaf" Troy Chou, 1st, 3rd Place

"Aim High" Kate Mizushima, 2nd, 2nd Place

Glass Ceiling" Kate Mizushima, 2nd, 1st Place

Photography 3-5

"Flying Butter" Arianna DeCamp, 4th

"Wings of Imagination" Arianna DeCamp, 4th

Soaring Imagination" Arianna DeCamp, 4th, 3rd Place

"My Mexican Mountain Rainbow" Christopher Lindsay, 4th, 2nd Place

"The Joy of a Butterfly" Simran Mattikalli, 4th, 1st Place

Visual Arts K-2

"Rainbow Senses" L. Noah Hernandez, 1st

"A Great Day in the Sun" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"The Flower Garden" Scott Heyman, K

"Imagine Being Anything You Want" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

“Imagining Adventures in Other Countries Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Let Your Imagination Fly" Kate Mizushima, 2nd

"Bats Rescue" Gavin Tang, K

"Everything You Want" Daniel Siaontz, K

"A World of Bugs" Alexis Nguyen, 2nd

“Let Your Imagination Fly” Shreya Kella

“Flying” Stephanie Wei, 2nd, Honorable Mention

"Home Security Robot in the Future" Kenneth Shue, 2nd, 3rd Place

"Dream Island" Emily Ying Jia, 2nd, 2nd Place

The Night Creatures" Zoe Tang, 2nd, 1st place

Visual Arts 3-5

"Fly" Clare Vinal, 4th, Erin Lozano, 4th

"Imagining Adventures in Other Countries" Kate Mizushima, 3rd

"Let Your Imagination Fly in a Rocket to Saturn" Meadow Begun, 3rd

“Inside Out” Lauren Levine

“Love, Peace and Hope” Desi Amprey, Honorable Mention

"Octopus" Giovanni Qiao, 3rd, Honorable Mention

"Airfield" Ethan Haan, 3rd, Honorable Mention

"States of Flight" Raina Kella, 5th, 3rd Place

"The Magic Show" Justin Zacharia, 4th, 2nd Place

"A Cleaned World" Angie Chen, 4th, 1st Place