By Cindy Butler Focke

Kellam High School hosted the 2025-26 citywide PTA Reflections contest awards ceremony Feb. 11.

More than 170 entries were submitted by VBCPS students – in preschool through 12^th grade – for the competition sponsored by the Virginia Beach Council of PTAs.

This year’s theme was “I Belong.”

Christa Jard was one of the 68 winners recognized during the ceremony.

Her 8×8-inch visual arts entry depicted flowers, including a rose, lily and milkweed.

The First Colonial High School freshman said a weed has a purpose in the garden.

“Everyone is their own type of flower,” she said. “You can be a milkweed and still belong.”

Citywide PTA Reflections chairperson Rebecca Brooks congratulated the honorees on their accomplishments.

“Each piece demonstrates dedication, imagination and heart,” she said.

Winners were presented on stage with a medal, certificate, goody bag, plus a movie pass and popcorn from Cinema Café. Some won raffle prizes.

Reflections is a national program that encourages students to enter works of art in the areas of literature, musical composition, photography, visual arts, film/videography and dance/choreography. PTAs select their schools’ winning artwork and submit to the citywide contest for judging.

First place citywide winners’ artwork was forwarded to the state competition with the chance to move up to the national level. Students could win “young artist” scholarships and have their works featured in a virtual exhibition.

Senior Executive Director of Middle Schools Dr. James Smith helped present the awards and applauded students for sharing their ideas and unique perspectives.

He also thanked the PTA for its valuable partnership with VBCPS. “The PTA helps support our teachers and our schools each and every day,” he said.

2026 Reflections winners

Photography:

Primary(grades K-2)-

1. Eleni Johnston, Red Mill
2. Isaiah Meadows, John B. Dey
3. McKenzie Walker, Centerville

Intermediate(grades 3-5)-

1. Maxx Fernandez, Providence
2. Stella Meadows, John B. Dey
3. Brynn Poston, Tallwood

Middle School-

1. Jameson Moore, Great Neck
2. Nameer Karim, Old Donation School (ODS)
3. Nicole Verbanic, Independence

High School-

1. Liam Conery, Ocean Lakes
2. Christopher Martin, First Colonial
3. Marlee Warren, Salem

Literature:

Accessible arts division-

1. Breana Will, Lynnhaven Middle

Primary-

1. Prachiti Baviskar, Luxford
2. Lyla Hines, Kings Grant
3. Dani Reyes, Trantwood

Intermediate-

1. Asia Hardee, John B. Dey
2. Doug Bynum, Ocean Lakes
3. Saachi Chitikeshi, Kingston

Middle School-

1. Leonna McCants, Independence
2. Yue-Ting Chen, ODS
3. Laura Hartin, Great Neck

High School-

1. McKenna Townsley, Tallwood
2. Scarlett Clark, First Colonial
3. Yue-Lin Chen, Ocean Lakes

Film:

Intermediate-

1. Levi Freeman, Malibu
2. Gretchen Sachs, John B. Dey
3. Mridul Samtani, ODS

Middle School-

1. Jahnavi Deepak, ODS

High School-

1. Isabelle Perry, First Colonial

Music:

Accessible arts division-

1. Elise Rodriguez, Great Neck Middle

Primary-

1. Aidan Wang, Kingston
2. Graham Dozier, John B. Dey
3. Fiona Riordan, Kings Grant

Intermediate-

1. Shreya Aravind, Woodstock
2. Norah Conery, ODS
3. Marianna Jimenet, Fairfield

Honorable mention: Emma Spektor

Middle School-

1. Kennedi Cobbs, Virginia Beach
2. Emma Wang, ODS
3. Nicole Verbanic, Independence

High School-

1. Bradley Song, Ocean Lakes
2. Dante Coe, Bayside

Dance:

Primary-

1. Camryn Flint, John B. Dey
2. Ellis Halsey, Centerville
3. Sawyer Bruno, Thoroughgood

Intermediate-

1. Naiya Agbulos, ODS
2. Raelyn Pokrywka, Kempsville Meadows
3. Maeson Flint, John B. Dey

Middle School-

1. Nia Kaczkowski, ODS

Visual Arts:

Accessible arts division-

1. Kori Reyes, Trantwood Elementary
2. Anastasiia Dolynska, Providence Elementary
3. Isa Rivera-Santiago, Landstown Middle

Primary-

1. Jenavieve Klepacz, Windsor Woods
2. Emory Bolander, Kingston
3. Lucy Coston, Glenwood

Honorable mention: Tatiyana Byrd, Christopher Farms

Intermediate-

1. Victoria Blythe, Fairfield
2. Noah Nielsen, Princess Anne
3. Mira Ballard, Parkway

Honorable mention: Sloane Riordan, Kings Grant

Middle School-

1. Brooklyn Denette, Lynnhaven
2. Shruthi Giridmaran, ODS
3. Eilana Calimlim, Salem

Honorable mention: Lauren Holmes, Princess Anne

High School-

1. Bella Tian, Landstown
2. Brayden Harrell, Cox
3. Christa Jard, First Colonial

Honorable mention: Amariah Evans, Salem