Reflections Contests Finalists Announced

It was standing room only last Wednesday evening at the YMCA, as over 140 proud students, siblings, parents and grandparents came to recognize the stars for the evening, the 46 finalists in the La Cañada PTA Council 2004 Reflections Program.

The theme for this year's program was a Different Kind of Hero, resulting in over 380 student entries, with 207 of them from sixth through eighth graders. The heroes identified by the students ranged from parents, pets, friends, firefighters, doctors, the crossing guards and even eyeglasses. Jacob Kaze, a La Cañada Elementary School kindergartener, drew a picture of Lizardman, saying he is a hero because he saves lizards from danger, while Kyla Bradley, a second grader at LCE, wrote a story about her friend Jenna, who cut her long hair and donated it to be made into wigs. Allison Yoon, a Paradise Canyon fourth grader, submitted a photograph entry of trees, noting they were her heroes, since they provide the oxygen needed to breath.

Amanda Bungartz, a La Cañada High School ninth grader said, "My entry was a photograph of a person on crutches, trying to play basketball. To me, a hero is someone who keeps on trying, even when they are a little down. They just don't give up."

The attendees were welcomed by Char Adams, president of the PTA Council and Linda Strack, Director of Arts and Humanities for the YMCA. Reflections chairperson, Mary Anne Lantieri presented the certificates, while Adams placed the medals on the excited students.

"The children in our community are truly talented and it is wonderful to see their ideas about who are their heroes," said Lantieri.

For the literature category in the senior division Sumita Mitra won the first place, Ryan Togioka was second, Mike Hamrick was third and Cynthia Nufer received honorable mention. In the junior category, Michelle Burrows won first place, Rebecca Singleton placed second, Chelsea Kelley third and both Joshua Wickersham and Kenzie Heaton received honorable mentions. Kelsey Kane-Ritsch won first place in the intermediate division, with Eva Frandsen placing second, Anisha Gandhi third and Allison Dillon receiving honorable mention. In the primary division (kindergarten through second grade) first place went to Grayson Gordon, second place to Kyla Bradley, Hayleigh Evans was third and Jennifer Brower received honorable mention.