news-record.com

Millis Road Elementary second-grader Lauren Easter has won the National Award of Excellence in the Primary Division PTA Reflections competition.

Lauren was recognized Tuesday night by the Guilford County Board of Education.

As Lauren moved through each level of the PTA Reflections competition with her original composition. “Wow is everywhere,”her mother, Kristen, reassured her that it was an honor for her to make it that far.

“It’s the first song I’ve ever wrote,” Lauren said before heading to the national competition. “My pawpaw helped me. He’s a song artist, too. He plays (guitar) at this place called the Barn Dinner Theatre.”

After a teacher students to prepare entries, Lauren took two pieces of white computer paper into her bedroom, and about 10 minutes later, she had words on paper and a melody in her head, her mom said. Her grandfather added instrumentation to the tune she sang, and they recorded her song.

Her first composition, less than a minute long, was good enough to earn her national recognition.

“I can see what it’s done for her self-esteem,” Kristen Easter said. “It is so great that this outlet is available for her since she loves singing and dance. Reflections lets kids express themselves the way they see things.”

All first-place state entries went on to the National PTA to compete with students from all 50 states and several countries. Easter received the highest national Reflections award, the National Award of Excellence. She received $200 and a silver-plated medallion for her award.