Two Plainedge school district students were recently named Nassau County regional winners in the National PTA annual Reflections contest. With this selection, the students' works move to state level judging in late February. Expressing this year's theme: "I am really happy when...," Plainedge High School 11th grader Rebecca Knoth's entry placed in the literature category, and John West fourth-grader Emily Tarantino's entry placed in photography.

Each year, hundreds of Plainedge students participate in the PTA Reflections contest, a cultural arts program developed in 1969 and designed to recognize creative talent and develop children's self esteem. The project is open to all children, kindergarten through grade 12, on a voluntary basis, and the children submit entries in four categories: literature, visual arts, music and photography. Preliminary judging is held at the school level and precautions are taken to assure impartiality.

The Plainedge school winners are:

From John West: Nicole Grace, Laura Kesselman, Lucy Tarantino, Patrick DelRe, Marisa Tyd and Michelle DelRe for literature; Camryn Armstrong, Emily Tarantino, Sara Pepkin, Rebecca Armstrong and Angelica McQuade for visual arts; Gabrielle Charno for music; Emily Tarantino and Deanna Tyd for photography.

From Eastplain: Emily Fox for literature and visual arts, Brendan Day and Allisa LaScala for visual arts.

From Schwarting: Gina Dotolo, Daniella Camera, Kayla Rankin, Aaron Myers, Katelyn Trotta and Ashley Munson for literature; Gina Oliver, Laureen Casquacelli and Jimmy McCaffrey for visual arts, Ryan Davella for music, Francesca Rizzo and Patricia Engel for photography.

From Packard Middle School: Nicole Short, Allison Keller and Samantha Argondizza for visual arts, Stephanie Cipolla for photography.

From Plainedge High School: Rebecca Knoth, Jennifer Molloy and Mariel Yovino for literature, Lindsey Zahn for photography.

This year's Council of PTAs Reflections chair Donna Skelton was assisted by Chris Tarantino at West, Theresa Fox at Eastplain, Lisa Romeo at Schwarting, Fran Ostermeier at Packard Middle School and Jeannine McQuade at Plainedge High School.