Brookside students earn arts honors
Young artists' work illustrates how they'll 'make a difference'

LEAH WINCK Special to The Acorn REFLECTIONS- Award winners, from left, Miles Friedman, Yael Karoly and Jack Wulf show off their certificates from the annual art program.

Creativity is in full bloom at Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park. The school's recent annual Reflections arts recognition and achievement program received 71 entries, almost double last year 's number, said Leah Winck, program chairperson.

This year's theme was "I can make a difference by . . " Students interpreted their own answers through literature, music, photography, painting, video production nd visual arts.

All participants were recognized at a school ceremony in which their work was put on display.

Three Brookside students earned district awards. They were among 312 entries that came from 128 elementary, middle and high schools, said Winck.

Miles Friedman won for kindergarten photography; Yael Karoly for fifthgrade for musical composition; and Jack Wulf for third-grade for visual arts.

Reflections is a national program established in 1969 by National Parent Teacher Association board member Mary Lou Anderson to encourage students to create original works of art and create community awareness of the importance of arts in education.

Since then, 10 million students have participated in the program with entries judged at the district, state and national levels.

- Sophia Fischer