Reflections Judging and Recognition

Reflections is a recognition program, not a competition. In 2000/01 the Virginia PTA abandoned the practice of using 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention and adopted the National PTA recognition system to honor Virginia's Reflections participants. Judges were directed to select three entries from each age division and category which in their judgment show great quality of work. From these three entries, Judges then selects the entry which best interprets the current year theme. This "Outstanding Interpretation" entry is then forwarded to the National competition on behalf of the Virginia Reflections Program. The other two entries receive an "Award of Excellence". Judges may then selected up to five entries in each division and category to receive an "Award of Merit". All other entries received a "Certificate of Participation". Local units, councils and districts may still purchase 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention and Participation ribbons from the state office. This system does not 'rank', but allows the students to submit their work and be judged on quality.