Einstein student wins national Reflections award for photography

Photography by Athena Pentcholov

Athena Pentcholov, an eighth grader at Einstein Middle School in Shoreline, has been awarded a National PTA Reflections Award of Excellence for Photography for an inspiring series of photographs showing herself during stages of treatment for cancer and subsequent recovery.

The theme 2014-2015 National PTA Reflections Arts Program was "The World Would Be a Better Place If..."

Athena titled her photographs, “The World Would Be a Better Place If There Was A Cure.” She was diagnosed with cancer as a student at Meridian Park, subsequently underwent treatment, including a bone marrow transplant and is doing well.

Athena’s work has now been honored at the school, district, state and national levels. The national winners will have their art displayed on the National PTA Web site and at the U.S. Department of Education beginning in January. 

Annually, thousands of students will reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.

Experts in the visual, literary and performing arts review national PTA Reflections submissions. Judges look for personal interpretations on the program theme that best exemplify creativity and technical skill.