An LES (Lakeland Elementary School) second grader has placed nationally in the PTA Reflections Contest with her winning photograph which will go on display in Washington. D.C. starting Jan. 22, 2019.
The winner is Audrey Anne Spiceland, daughter of Emily and Jonathan Spiceland of Lakeland.
Audrey Anne, eight-years-old, submitted her photograph, “Girl Power” in the Lakeland PTA Reflections Contest this year, according to Mrs. Spiceland. The theme was “Within Reach.”
“Her photograph won the Award of Excellence in the primary age division for the state of Tennessee and was sent to represent Tennessee at the national level,” said Mrs. Spiceland. “Then it was announced Wednesday (5.2.18) that she had won the Award of Merit for Photography in primary age division for the National Reflections contest.”
Mrs. Spiceland said all winners will be recognized at the 2018 National PTA Awards and Reflections Celebration at the National PTA Convention & Expo June 23 in New Orleans. She and her husband expect to attend the banquet as well as travel to the Capital in January for the opening of the National PTA Student Arts Showcase and Exhibit opening Jan. 22 at the U.S. Department of Education. “We are hoping to be able to travel with her to both events to celebrate her accomplishments.”
Audrey Anne’s artist statement in the contest was: “My photograph is inspired by my teammates and friends. We are girls. We are strong and powerful. When we work hard and do not give-up, all of our dreams can be within reach.”
Of the theme selection, Mrs. Spiceland said, “Audrey Anne is growing up in world where young ladies feel empowered and are achieving their dreams with nothing holding them back. The narrative is shifting and changing and I think that her statement reflects this shift. She knows hard work and determination are the keys to success. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities that she will have in her lifetime.”
The winning photo was taken of her teammates at a swim practice at the Compton Aquatic Center at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville. Black and white versus a color photo was an artistic choice, said Mrs. Spiceland.
“Audrey Anne has always taken lots of pictures. In fact, she has already started working on next year’s entry (“Heroes Around Me”). I think technology has really allowed her and her peers to be introduced to photography at young ages. iPhones have put cameras into their hands and made them so accessible. Editing tools are readily available and very user- friendly which allows even the youngest children to create works of art. I love looking through the photos on my phone after her and her brother have used it to take pictures,” commented Mrs. Spiceland.
Audrey Anne was encouraged to enter the competition by her brother Porter, an LES fourth grader and 10-years-old, said Mrs. Spiceland.
“We are so incredibly proud of Audrey Anne! She has the sweetest heart and is always her brother’s biggest cheerleader. She is so proud of his accomplishments and is the first to celebrate him. This is her moment and her time to shine. We are so excited for her and are loving getting to celebrate Audrey Anne,” added Mrs. Spiceland.
Jamie Johnson, vice president of cultural arts for the LES PTA, said of the local contest: “We had six entries from our school this year: Two in the Photography category and four in Visual Arts. All of our students’ work was submitted to the state-wide competition. Audrey Spiceland’s photograph won the Award of Excellence (only one selected per category each year) at the state level, and moved on to national competition, where she was awarded the Award of Merit by the National PTA.
“Each year, students participate in the Reflections contest in which they submit artwork within the following categories: Dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. This year’s theme was “Within Reach”. Students were to use the theme as inspiration for their art. The entries were submitted early in the fall, and winners were announced in the spring.’
Link to the National PTA page announcing the winners: https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/Reflections-Awards-Events/national-winners.
… Photos courtesy of Mrs. Spiceland.
