By Stephen Smoot
The nation’s capitol cannot seem to get enough of Pendleton County.
Last year, the United States Capitol Christmas Tree made a visit to Seneca Rocks. This year, West Virginia’s entry for the state tree on the White House lawn will feature ornaments crafted by students from Pendleton County Middle/High School.
The White House display is different than the U.S. Capitol Tree. It has a single national tree and smaller trees from every state and territory. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first in 1923 and it has remained a tradition ever since, as the website states “to celebrate the season as a place that symbolizes hope and unity.”
According to Hayley Craig, PCM/HS, student art work won the honor for their school. Schools from all over West Virginia compete for the honor of having their ornaments featured on the tree. For the past three years, the prize has gone to Robert L. Bland Middle School in Weston.
She said of Bland Middle School’s submissions for 2024 that “they’re ornaments were absolutely gorgeous.”
Craig shared that the theme this year was what makes your state beautiful. “My class decided to focus on wildlife in West Virginia,” she added.
The process started last spring. Three example works were submitted for judging. Based on the work submitted, the PCM/HS students won for their school the honor of having area student work featured on the tree.
After they selected the school, judges picked 24 student creations to hang on the tree. Craig shared that many crafted images for the ornaments portrayed fish common in the state, such as rainbow trout. Others show cardinals, black bears, honey bees, “lots of butterflies,” and even the often overlooked opossum who, in this case, is “hanging off a Christmas tree holding a candy cane.”
“I’ve actually been applying for this for some time,” revealed Craig, who also volunteers with Friends of the Library.
The ceremony will take place on Dec 5, but due to space concerns, only two tickets go to each school. Craig stated that CBS will stream it on Dec 20. The show will also feature famous performers. Last year was highlighted by Tricia Yearwood.
