Bobbing her head slightly as her fingers moved lightly across the keys of the piano, junior Hannah Patterson paused every now and then to write a few notes on a composition sheet. This was all part of Patterson’s music writing process.

“Whenever I find inspiration, usually after hearing a style of music, I begin to hear different tunes in my head,” Patterson said. “Then I start playing the notes on the piano, and that’s how I write my most effective music.”

Putting her passion to the test, Patterson entered the national Parent Teacher Association’s (PTA) Reflection art contest. Students from all grade levels entered in a number of creative categories such as writing, photography or music composition, in which Patterson was the district and state winner.

Patterson won with “Mourning Sun” an original song about her grandfather passing away in the winter of her sophomore year.

“Mourning Sun began as a tune in my head,” Patterson said. “What really molded the piece was the passing of my grandfather. It has a minor key mourning his death, and a major key celebrating his life. The name [of the song] was based on both my grandfather’s burial place in Morning Sun, IA,” Patterson said. “And on the fact that although life may become mournful, tainted or sorrowful, the sun will always rise again.”

Kim Benner both brought about and headed the Reflections program in order for students to have a way to express themselves.

“What is so great about Reflections is that it has a category for everyone,” Benner said, “just like North has a spot for everyone.”

Benner believes that expression is a basic human need and is supportive of students expressing themselves in an artistic and productive way.

Music teacher Juli O’Mealy sees that Patterson works hard to create music and is always willing to take criticism into account.

“Because of her attitude, she can create a piece of music, look at it critically, have others listen to it, take suggestions, and make changes,” O’Mealy said.

Patterson also loves the way a piano can tell a story.

“I can pour my soul into music and truly express myself,” Patterson said, “without complex explanations or restraints.”

Patterson has also had a lot of support from her mother, Mary Lou Patterson, especially in her music endeavors.

“I love to hear my children play piano,” Patterson said. “I beliee I influenced Hannah the most in piano playing by starting her on piano lessons when she was in second grade.”

Patterson’s State win advances her song to Nationals. Benner believes that “Mourning Sun” has potential to win at Nationals.

“When I listen to “Mourning Sun” I can feel it in the depths of my soul,” Benner said. “We have all lost a loved one, and for a junior in High School to be able to express something so profound in such a beautiful way is amazing.”