Millis Road Student Wins National PTA Award for Music Composition

The Board of Education recognized GCS state and national Reflections winners Tuesday

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 6/9/2009 6:35:30 PM

As second-grader Lauren Easter moved through each level of the PTA Reflections competition, her mother, Kristen, reassured her that it was an honor for her to make it that far. Unimaginably, Easter’s music composition, “Wow is everywhere,” received the National Award of Excellence in the Primary Division of the competition in May. Imaginably, she composed her winning song through pure talent and simplicity.

According to her mother, Easter decided she would compose a song for the competition when a teacher at Millis Road Elementary encouraged students to prepare entries. Easter took two pieces of white computer paper into her bedroom, and about 10 minutes later, she had words on paper and a melody in her head. Her grandfather, a musician, added instrumentation to the tune she sang, and they recorded her song. It was her first composition, and it was less than a minute long, but it was good enough to earn her national recognition.

“I can see what it’s done for her self-esteem,” Kristen Easter said. “It is so great that this outlet is available for her since she loves singing and dance. Reflections lets kids express themselves the way they see things.”

The PTA Reflections competition provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and receive positive recognition for original works. This year’s theme was “WOW.” Students submitted entries, first at the district level, in six categories: Literature, Visual Arts, Musical Composition, Dance Choreography, Film Production and Photography.

The Guilford County Board of Education recognized Easter as a national winner and the GCS students who progressed to the state level at its meeting Tuesday.

Out of hundreds of GCS entries, 24 first-place winners from grades pre-K through 12 were forwarded to the state-level competition. Out of those 24, five talented students placed. Easter was the first-place winner on the state level in music composition. In dance, Demetria Hall from Lindley Elementary placed first and Talie Patalano from Nathanael Greene Elementary placed third. In literature, Anjali Kapil from The Academy at Lincoln received third place. John Hudgins from Southwest Elementary was first place in photography.

All first-place state entries went on to the National PTA to compete with students from all 50 states and several countries. Easter received the highest national Reflections award, the National Award of Excellence. She received $200 and a silver-plated medallion for her award.

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About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. 

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship.  For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.