Guests at Lake Washington PTSA Council’s annual Founders’ Day Luncheon enjoyed a four-course feast of inspirational art by four talented students, at Sahalee Country Club on Feb. 23, 2024.
Each year LWPTSA Council invites local student artists who have participated in the National PTA Reflections arts program to present their contest entries to luncheon attendees. This year, Reflections entrants were tasked with interpreting the theme, “I Am Hopeful Because … .” Our 2024 Founders’ Day showcase featured live performances by two young musicians and screenings of two original works in the film production and dance choreography categories.
Ishika Bhadra, grade 6, of Evergreen Middle School, played her music composition entitled “Balloons” on piano. Ishika’s original piece paints life as balloons, first tied down by strings — represented by chord progressions ranging from low minor chords, then shifting and alternating between major keys to represent life’s ups and downs, with an ascending scale at the end to express hope, lifting the balloons high into the sky.
Aarav Daniver, grade 2, of Albert Einstein Elementary, sang and performed his musical composition, “Four Seasons,” on piano. Aarav penned this original song that took his audience on a rousing tour through the changing seasons, which give him hope year-round with the unique things that each season brings.
Keeping the audience hopeful was an uplifting film entitled “City of Hope,” produced by Everett Palke, grade 4, of Margaret Mead Elementary. To create his original work, Everett interviewed a variety of people in his city to find out what makes them hopeful. “One thing that makes me hopeful is my city and people working together as a community,” Everett said.
Closing out our showcase was a video presentation of an elegant dance on ice, entitled “Redemption,” choreographed and performed by Anugraha Pillai, grade 11, of Tesla STEM High School. “As the world grapples into turmoil, I passionately yearn for a chance to reset and leave behind a legacy that promises redemption for humanity’s well-being, ensuring health and prosperity for future generations,” Anugraha said. “Let tomorrow unfold as a delightful surprise, a world where peace and good health thrive.”
Adorning the foyer outside the banquet hall was a gallery of colorful art works from the visual arts Reflections category, collected from PTAs across our council area. Luncheon guests lingered in front of these pieces in the mini art museum before entering the dining room, and found much to be hopeful for, in these young artists’ expressive visions.
LWPTSA Council shares our heartfelt thanks and appreciation with all of our Reflections student artists and their parents and guardians, our local PTA Reflections chairs, and our Council Reflections committee for making this Founders’ Day showcase and this year’s Reflections program possible.
Ishika Bhadra
Event photographs courtesy of Muusa Liinpaa. Stills captured from Everett Palke’s “City of Hope” (2023) and Anugraha Pillai’s “Redemption” (2023). All rights reserved.