LASA Students Shine During the 2025-2026 Reflections Program, Going National!

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LASA Students Shine During the 2025-2026 Reflections Program!
Texas PTA proudly celebrates the incredible creativity of students across the state! This year, more than 870 student entries advanced for state-level judging, showcasing remarkable talent, imagination, and artistic expression inspired by this year’s theme. We are thrilled to recognize over 600 student artists with state-level awards. Five LASA Students have been recognized by the LASA PTSA, the Austin Council PTA, the Texas PTA this year with one student making it to the National PTA Competition (results will be announced the first of May, 2026).

These incredible student artists are:
Ananth Pakanati for Literature
Grant Ratcliffgardy for Music Composition
Piper Meley for Photography
Sadie Sarrat for Dance Choreography
Zixuan (Camille) Mei for Visual Arts

Camille has achieved the “Overall Award of Excellence,” which elevates her to the National PTA Reflections competition level. Congratulations, Camille!!!!!!!

Supplemental Essays: A Crucial Component to College Applications

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Thursday, March 26, 2026
7-8pm

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn why supplemental essays matter to college admissions committees, how to successfully approach different types of supplemental essays, and start brainstorming about their own supplemental essays.

After growing up in the Midwest and attending college in the West and graduate school on the East Coast, Kelly moved to Austin, Texas to get a Ph.D. at UT. She wound up staying to raise her two children (one of her daughters is a LASA and Johns Hopkins grad!) and to teach writing at a local liberal arts college. In 2020, Kelly launched her own college consulting business to help students navigate the college admissions process and to share their best selves in their college essays.

Tickets available at https://pflasa.org/product-category/masterclasses/
Only one purchase per household necessary.

WHAT’S MY JOB HERE?: UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE AS A PARENT IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

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Tuesday, March 3, 2026
6–7pm

As an essay coach and college consultant, I watch parents struggle mightily every year to figure out what their role in the college application process should be. What’s doing too much? What’s doing too little? What if your student wants you to butt out? What if no matter how many times you yell, plead, and try to inspire, your student isn’t engaging in the process? How much responsibility do you entrust to your student? These are all questions most of the parents I work with don’t know the answer to. This class is about having a very frank discussion through vignettes, concrete examples, and longterm experience about making sure you aren’t going into the college app process with the wrong assumptions about your part in the process. Bring your questions!

Get tickets at https://pflasa.org/product-category/masterclasses/

LASA PTSA Loves our Student Members!

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That’s right, we love our student members! Every year, LASA PTSA runs a contest to see which class will have the highest student membership. The race is on! Here’s the student membership count as of January 31st:

  • Class of 2028 – 59 members
  • Class of 2029 – 56 members
  • Class of 2027 – 47 members
  • Class of 2026 – 41 members

It’s a close race! Spread the word and have your classmates join PTSA. Every membership counts. While you’re at it, have your parents join too!

https://www.lasaptsa.org

NEW Great Gathering OPEN TO ALL CLASSES!

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Join us Saturday, March 28 for an evening that’s all about great food and even better company. We’re hosting a Cajun Night Great Gathering in North-Central Austin, featuring a spread of Cajun-inspired favorite and hurricane cocktails. Whether you’re here for the spicy flavors or just the good conversation, we’d love to see you there!

Hop on over to the store to get your ticket: https://pflasa.org/store/mardi-gras-party/

The Admissions X-Factor: Unlocking the Power of Passion Projects

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Thursday, February 12, 2026
6-7pm

Attendees will gain a clear understanding of strategic ways to turn interests into impact for top-tier colleges.
Also they will learn how admissions offices review applications, what activities and profiles stand out, how to approach SAT/ACT planning, and how to optimize opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.

Tickets available at PFLASA Store: https://pflasa.org/store/the-admissions-x-factor-unlocking-the-power-of-passion-projects-2-12-26/

2026 Project Graduation Call for Volunteers

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We hope you will consider volunteering at the 2026 Project Graduation all night lock-in at the East YMCA on June 1-2. We are asking for adult volunteers across all grade levels to help by volunteering for a shift (or all night) during the event. It is a fun event and the volunteers have a great time!

Location: East Communities YMCA
Starts: Monday, June 1, 2025 at 10pm
Ends: Tuesday, June 2, 2025 at 5:30am
Sign up now!

Feel free to reach out with any questions/comments at projectgraduation@pflasa.org.
We will set up a couple of Zoom calls closer to, to explain the flow of the night and our needs.

Thank you for your kind consideration!
Manue Reynolds and Maya Gamble
2026 Project Graduation Co-Chairs