Kalaya Blackwell, a fifth-grader at Centerville Elementary School, has achieved national recognition for her creativity and talent, earning an Award of Excellence in the National PTA Reflections Competition for her original work in Dance Choreography. Her achievement marks a rare milestone for both her school and district.
The Reflections Contest, an annual program run by the PTA, encourages students across the country to explore the arts through categories like visual art, literature, film production, music composition, photography and dance choreography. This year’s theme, “Accepting Imperfection,” invited students to reflect deeply and express their interpretation through creative expression.
Kalaya choreographed and performed an original dance piece, set against the backdrop of the sunset over a Great Salt Lake. With only one take, she performed barefoot in the mud, battling flies and the harsh, smelly environment—but danced through it all, a powerful metaphor for the theme. Her determination and ability to find beauty amid real-life imperfections clearly resonated with judges at every level—from school to region, to state, and finally to the national stage.
“She showed every student at Centerville Elementary that they can enter this contest and they can achieve great things,” Principal Leslie Bertram said. “She inspires them by her example.”
The Reflections Program is open to students across the nation, and while many schools encourage participation, few students ever make it to the national level. Kalaya’s dance was a reminder that art doesn’t have to be perfect.
“We're not defined by our mistakes. We're defined by how we react to them,” PTA Member Virginia Allred said. “This is a perfect example of how things are not perfect in life, but we can still create something beautiful out of it.”