Valley students receive "I Hold In My Hand" awards

Students around the Mat-Su School District now hold in their hands awards in this year's PTA Reflections contest, and five will be going on to nationals.

Translating this year's theme of "I Hold In My Hand …" into photography, music, literature and art, Mat-Su students from all grade levels and many district schools competed this year. At a school board meeting April 3, local organizers Pat Hogan and Ann Meyer announced the Valley winners.

Photography -- Colin Marquiss of Larson Elementary, Charlie Holman of Pioneer Peak, Taylor Hughes of Tanaina and Beck Hesselback of Wasilla High.

Music -- Chad Meyer of Wasilla High with two entries, Christi Gibson of Wasilla Middle, Trevor Thomas of Wasilla Middle and Jessica Cole of Pioneer Peak.

Literature -- Ahriel Porter of Tanaina, Jana Lincoln of Wasilla Middle, MacKenzie Merrill of Pioneer Peak and Chancie Hanson of Tanaina Elementary.

Visual arts -- Rachel Kenley of Pioneer Peak, Sam Lund of Larson, Chancie Hanson of Tanaina, Kristen Ament of Wasilla High and Lyssa Chartrand of Wasilla High.

Local winners were then referred to a statewide competition. From those 120 entries, the following Valley students were referred to the national competition -- Chancie Hanson, Ahriel Porter, Jessica Cole, Sam Lund and Kristen Ament. Others were awarded honorable mentions at the state level.

State finalists will be honored at the Alaska PTA Convention on April 20. The national PTA Reflections Program is more than 30 years old and is designed to encourage artistic exploration and develop intellectual, social and physical skills.

"When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, photography and other art forms, they grow intellectually," organizers said.

Next year's theme is "Signs of Courage."