The PTSA, also known as the Parent-Teacher-Student-Association, works with staff, students, and Student Council & Leadership to support school wide programs. The PTSA helps with events at Bowie like Bulldogs and Hot Dogs and Homecoming.

Another event that the PTSA supports that all students can participate in if they choose to, is Reflections. Reflections encourages students to express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts. This is an opportunity for students to be recognized for their artistic talent and a way to build their high school resume. The students are judged on their entries.

“Judges are people from the community that may be an artist or that support programs that encourage creativity,” Bowie reflections coordinator Jenny Turney said.

The student picks up an entry form at the Library, Kennel, or they can also download the entry form online at the Bowie PTSA website, bowieptsa.org. The student must submit entries by Wednesday, October 19th. They need to submit entries to the Library or the Kennel. High school students are not the only ones that can enter their reflection.

“Elementary to High School students can participate in the PTA/PTSA reflections,” Turney said.

Each year the theme changes. The categories that can be used for entry were Dance / Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Musical Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

“It is a National theme and each year students enter ideas for possible themes. “Let Your Imagination Fly” was last years theme. This year’s is “What is Your Story?” Turney said.

The reflections started in 1969 by the National PTA. Each year, the National PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. Hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Reflections program through their local PTAs. Last year over 100 entries were submitted at Bowie.

“We had 90 entries [at Bowie]. We don’t get the national entry numbers yet, at a later date that’ll be disclosed,” Turney said.

The student winners go on to compete at the district/regional and state levels with the best-of-the-best entries going to National PTA to be considered for a National Reflections award. Each year, PTA gives the following awards at the national level, Outstanding Interpretation Awards, Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit and Honorable Mention.

“I haven’t heard of a student moving on to national level,” Turney said. “I’ve only been working with the program for five years. In my time we’ve had a lot of students go to state.”