Congratulations to West Bellevue resident and rising senior at Eastside Prep, Darius Partovi, for his remarkable achievement in the 2023-2024 National PTA Reflections Program. Darius received the Outstanding Interpretation Award for Music Composition for the state of Washington, advancing to the national level where he secured an Award of Merit, tying for third place. 

Each year, the National PTA Reflections Program invites students from Pre-K through Grade 12 to submit original works of art across various categories, including Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. The 2023-2024 theme, “I am Hopeful Because…”, inspired over 900 submissions from 45 states.

Darius’ award-winning piece, "Mahtab," is a piano composition rooted in both his cultural heritage and current global events. “Mahtab" means moonlight in Farsi,” Darius explains. “The recent protests in Iran for the freedom of women were sparked by a young girl named Mahsa. The meaning of her name is ‘moonlike.’ Just as the moon guides us in the dark of night, Mahsa has been the light in such dark times for the people of Iran. She gives us strength and hope. Mahsa is our moonlight; she is our Mahtab. I am hopeful because no matter how dark the situation in life may be, there will always be a moon in the darkness, a light to guide us.”

Darius has been playing the piano since the age of 7, finding it to be a powerful medium for self-expression. “I love the sound of the piano and the ability to channel my creativity. It’s like creating art,” he shares. 

To hear "Mahtab," visit: wastatepta.org under the Reflections program and the High School winners for Music Composition.