2026 PTA Reflections Contest Photography TOP PICKS!

Please congratulate the following EDHS DMAA Photography students whose images were selected as TOP PICKS for the PTA Reflections Contest (alphabetical order)!

Sam Habib

In a world that never stops moving, there is something beautiful about being still. To me, my Christian faith is more than a belief; it is the foundation of who I am, the light that guides me through life, and the love that reminds me I am never alone. My faith has taught me to lead with kindness, choose grace, and find peace in the presence of God. It lives in the prayers shared with loved ones, the lessons passed down through generations, and the quiet moments when I feel closest to Him. Just as wildflowers bloom in their own time, I am learning to trust God’s timing and embrace the person He is shaping me to become. No matter how much the world changes or where life takes me, I hope to carry my faith with me, allowing it to guide my choices and shine through the way I love others. To me, my Christian faith is not simply a part of my culture; it is a part of my story, my identity, and the foundation on which I build my future.

Micaela Lynch

This image relates back to my theme as while it doesn't show my biological family's culture, it does show my created family's culture. Over the last few years of high school I have developed a culture within the band program and have mad an almost family like structure within the program. While sometimes that looks like a lot of hard work, it can also look like the smiles in this photo. These two girls are great leaders of this culture and always inspire me to continue to uphold our culture and traditions. Whether it be wearing onesies for awards or singing our alma mater, these traditions have helped me form who I am because of the culture I am surrounded by.

Eden Ponce

This photo shows the importance of family in the Hispanic culture. In the Hispanic culture, we are taught to honor the previous generation's hard work by working hard ourselves and prioritizing family. This little girl sitting on her father's shoulders represents how the next generation sits on the shoulders of the previous. We build and grow through the opportunities we are given because of our ancestors' hard work and courageous decisions. In my life, my abuela took the risk of coming to America from El Salvador while she was in her third trimester of pregnancy. Because of her brave decision, my dad was able to grow up in LA and work hard to build a beautiful life for our family in Orange County. Now my brothers and I sit on the shoulders of all that he has done for us and are able to build lives of our own.