“To belong” is to be a part of group, team or community, and your inclusion in that group can be documented by membership and rosters. But in a broader sense, to belong means your place in a certain community is valued, respected and secure. In either sense, belonging builds self-esteem, social skills, and, in moments of personal or collective crisis, belonging to a supportive group can offer comfort, strength, and resilience. This is especially true when belonging means knowing you are included without needing to change or hide parts of who you are. Through those authentic and meaningful bonds, we develop a sense of stability, direction and comfort and know that we can rely on others to support us.

Each person will have a unique way of creatively portraying “I Belong!” because each group we belong to is unique to our own experiences. With so much to capture, this year’s Reflections theme is a great opportunity to use symbolism, metaphor and new styles to portray the feelings and emotions that come along with a sense of belonging–or feeling excluded.

Enter by October 24, 2025. Visit https://www.clarkhsptsa.com/reflections for information