The Marlboro PTA honored their student National Reflection Winners at a recent Marlboro School Board meeting. The Reflections program, “provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.”

Reflections encourages students to, “unleash their creative talents and be inspired; Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork; Experience the fun and joy of making art; Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme and Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.”

The theme for this year was ‘I am Hopeful Because…” and students could chose to work in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and the Visual Arts. High School Assistant Principal Anishbell Brennan and Reflections Coordinator Myra Rivera honored four of the students and the works they created.

Janice Werba (11th grade) entered a work in the Literature category. In her submission, she wrote, in part;
“I am hopeful because I have support, Love, Friendship, Family and...I have myself

And I will be hopeful until the clouds stop raining
Because every puddle brings the opportunity for a day splashing and realizing when all of these things run dry
A drop of hope is still within me and that’s all I need

In her Artist’s Statement, Werba wrote: “My family is the greatest gift with which I am Blessed, and having their constant love for me and the things I love to do gives me hope. After thinking about the question, I pictured what could hope be for other people, and differently for myself. I noticed that everyone, at some point in their life, has harbored hope somewhere within themselves. Not everyone will agree, but I know that with all the great things I can accomplish, I am fortunate to have my own courage, strength, perseverance, and hope to back me up wherever I go.”

Amanda Kunkel (12th grade) in the Photography category she submitted a work entitled, “Eager Sunrise.” In her Artist Statement she wrote: “I am hopeful because the sunrise every morning gives us a chance to start again and have a fulfilling and special day. The sunrise at the beach in my photo symbolizes new beginnings and a fresh start as well as the warmth, joy, and excitement that the summer weather in it brings. This is important to me because in my life I have felt hopeless and as if there was no point in starting a day off positively when the last one was not one that brought me joy.”

Lex Antonelli (12the grade) submitted a photograph that he entitled, “The Tide Always Turns”

In his Statement he wrote: “The Ocean is beautiful and calming and a joy to be in. Yet the Ocean, as powerful as it is, is hindered by some challenges; crashing rocks, rough waters, typhoons, hurricanes, extreme weather. It does not stay calm all of the time but faces many challenges and tumultuous tides. But, like The Ocean, we face battles and struggle with the difficulties in life; illness, stress, injury, family issues, just like the Ocean. I am hopeful because ….The Ocean always returns to peace and beauty, and so can we in life. We know that like The Ocean, we will rise again.”

Jacqueline Rivera (11th grade) submitted a work in the Visual Arts category entitled, “Tears Of Hope,” stating that her drawing, “portrays my reasons for being hopeful. As an emotionally sensitive person, I tend to frequently cry over events that often stress me out. Upcoming events such as the future, or current life focuses, such as athletics and academics, are some of the many factors that tend to significantly affect my emotions. Whenever I look back on the tears I’ve cried over these topics, I realize that these events will be what shapes me as a person. My tears remind me that these are all quality reasons to be hopeful.”

The winning entries were sent to the regional PTA level of the competition before the 12/14/23 deadline.