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A La Conner fourth grader has learning down to an art form.

Halley Oh received a statewide Award of Excellence for Visual Arts, ranking second in her age group (grades 3-5) in the Washington State PTA Reflections Art Contest.

The contest theme was "I Am Hopeful Because..."

"She did a really good job," La Conner PTA Vice-President Mia Paulson told the Weekly News. "They (the contest judges) obviously saw her talent."

Halley's colorful entry illustrates how education makes her feel hopeful. Her teacher is Megan Funk.

The WSPTA Reflections program is a national PTA arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas. By creating original works of art in response to a theme, students develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and demonstrate an ability to think critically and creatively.

Paulson said those traits, enhanced through art, help students realize success both in school and later in life.

Halley's award came in La Conner School District's first year of participation in the PTA arts contest.

"We're thrilled to have a winner," Paulson said. "It was a big deal growing up for me, and having a winner here in our first year is really great."

Paulson grew up in Kirkland, where the Washington State PTA Reflections Art Contest has long been on the community's radar. She noted that La Conner's rich history in the arts makes entry in the Reflections Art Contest a natural fit for Halley and other local students.

The contest itself enjoys a rich history as well, she said.

"It's been going on since the 1970s and has done much to enrich the arts," Paulson said.

The contest theme for 2024-25 will be "Accepting Imperfection," a topic chosen from student submissions.