Competing against 65,000 statewide entries, Santa Monica 10-year-old fifth grader, Sophie Smyth’s song, “You Lift Me Up†, written for her dad, Robert Smyth, on his birthday was awarded first place for the intermediate division of the original music category for National PTA sponsored Reflections Program in California.
Sophie is very proud of her dad and wanted to do something very special for him. She read the informational flyer from school and decided to enter her song in the contest. The theme was “Beauty is…†Writing about her dad was very easy. Much to her surprise, her song was chosen to represent her school (Franklin School), and then her entry had to stand the test against other entries in the local PTA district 33.
Her song climbed up the competition ladder until Saturday’s award presentation. Sophie was invited to sing her song at California PTA Convention in Sacramento where Sophie was presented the Award of Excellence certificate. Sophie’s song will represent California’s best in the National level competition of the Reflections program.
Established in 1969, the Reflections program is an arts and achievement recognition program for school aged students. The program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a preselected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.
“We are extremely proud of Sophie’s achievement. Music and the arts are crucial elements of a well-balanced education,†reflects Vicki Smyth, Sophie’s mother. “Our family is proud to support the arts and music at our daughters’ school.â€
“It is wonderful that students have an opportunity to receive such positive recognition for their efforts. This effort reinforces the need to continue to support the arts in our schools,†notes Wendy Navin, a Santa Monica resident and PTA representative.
Sophie Smyth is a resident in Santa Monica. She is a 5th grade student at Franklin Elementary School. Sophie lives with her parents, Vicki and Robert Smyth and her younger sister, Stella.
