On February 10, 2014, the results of PTSA Reflections Contest were revealed.  Congratulations to all those who participated in this year’s Reflections contest, “The World Would Be a Better Place If….” All students who submitted entries will receive a participation award, and the first place winners of each category have all been featured in this exclusive article on their success.

Photography: 1st place

Justin Randall

Grade: 12

Q1: What did you try to explain through your work?

“Throughout this piece, I was trying to shed a light on domestic abuse. I wanted to capture the way it affects loved ones in unexpected ways. This picture shows how an outsider to the situation can be hurt as much as the victim.”

Q2: What is the inspiration(s) behind your work?

“The inspiration for this photo came from the friends shown in the picture. The idea struck me to use the doorway in the picture as a window into reality while I was with them. I staged them in their positions and the shot turned out great.”

Q3: What is your dream?

“My dream is to be happy in life. I don’t have specific plans for the future but I am optimistic for what lies ahead of me.”

Q4: Do you want to thank anyone?

“I would like to say thank you to my friends: Rosalina, Brandon, and Killian. They helped me take the picture. They are great friends.”

Visual Arts:1st place

Seung-Hee (Ellie) Yoo

Grade: 11

Q1: What did you try to explain through your work?

“Through my work I wanted to show how global warming is harming the earth. Due to global warming, polar bears have lost their homes. Although we are in a good place in our economy, we should consider the world around us and realize that we are only coexisting.”

Q2: What is the inspiration(s) behind your work?

“I got inspiration for my work from an article I read, about polar bears. These creatures are having a hard time in the north because of the melting ice. After I read this article, I saw a picture of two polo bears trying to climb the small patch of melting ice. Then, the image popped up in my mind.”

Q3: What is your dream?

“I have no idea what job that I want, however, I want to be an artist who can give great “inspiration” to people. I want to present the drawings that can send the deep messages of mine”

Q4: Do you want to thank anyone?

“I owe thanks to my family. They always support me, and I think that is why I am in this position.”

Literature:1st place

Heather Gammon

Grade: 11

Q1: What did you try to explain through your work?

“I entered twice. I’m not sure which entry received first and which received second. I wrote a poem about the Greenhouse Effect, and how humanity’s crippling dependence on fossil fuels is getting out of hand. I also wrote a piece about sexualized advertising in media and its harmful developmental effects on young girls.”

Q2: What is the inspiration(s) behind your work?

“Well, I’m taking AP Environmental Science and it’s a class that’s really opened my eyes to humanity’s effects on the natural world. Humans can cause great change, but more often than not, it’s a damaging change to the surrounding environment. It’s high time that more people see value in the natural world as it is and not how they’d like it to be.

Q3: What is your dream?

“I, like most, hope to attend college and obtain a satisfying career. And after that, own 5 dogs (unlike most).”

Q4: Do you want to thank anyone?

“I’d like to thank my mother for her unwavering support in everything I do.”

Congratulations Heather on having your entry advance to 4th District PTSA!

Dance:1st place

Cheyenne Kotick

Grade: 12

Q1: What did you try to explain through your work?

“Through my work I’m trying to explain and tell a story about love. Love is what makes the world go around and it’s so important for people to love one another. There are so many different kinds of love and through my experiences here at YLHS, I’ve created a lot of different relationships. Having people who love you during your tough times encourages me to do better for not only myself but everyone I love.”

Q2: What is the inspiration(s) behind your work?

“The close relations I have with some people in my life really pushed me forward to choreographing a piece about love. The strongest relationships, of course, always have their ups and downs but when you love somebody, you only want the best for them. Making a piece about the love in my life made me happy to dance the piece every time.”

Q3: What is your dream?

“My dream is to continue dancing throughout my entire life. Whether it is commercial dancing or on Broadway, as long as I’m still able to tell a story through dance, I will be happy.”

Q4: Do you want to thank anyone?

“I want to thank Miss Maes for encouraging me to enter my choreography into reflections, Dance Company for performing it to your fullest potential, and all my loved ones who inspired me.”