Middle Gate Student Cited

For Reflections Program Submission

By Denise Galassi

Yossi Kohrman-Glaser, a second grader at Middle Gate School, was honored recently for his musical interpretation submission for the PTA Reflections program theme “Signs of Courage.” He received a first place award in the state and was awarded a National Award for Excellence during a state PTA banquet, which includes a certificate, a medal, and $200.

This was Yossi’s first national placement, but he has placed first in the state for music since he was in kindergarten. He piece entitled, “Courageous Heart,” played on the piano, required several months of work to get “just right.” Yossi began playing the piano at the age of 4 and practices everyday for a half an hour. He credits his nurturing piano teacher, Patsy Stevens, for encouraging his creativity.

Reflections is a nationally sponsored PTA arts program developed in 1969 with the belief that children grow intellectually when they create art. This program provides children in preschool through twelfth grade the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students submit a piece of work in any or all of the four categories of literature, musical, photography, and visual arts.

In Connecticut there were 98 music, 813 literature, 198 photography, and 862 visual art entries totaling 2,289 submissions. Each state can send one entry for each category and division. These 800 entries are judged at the national level. Yossi’s entry competed against 49 other primary division winners in music. Three Awards of Excellence and five Awards of Merit were selected in each grade division for the four areas.

For more information on the Reflections program visit www.pta.org or for other PTA questions visit www.ctpta.org.