An American tradition that has spanned more than 100 years is the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C. It features ornaments with artwork created by young students from across the country. This year, 18 fourth graders from Scott City R-1 School District in southeast Missouri get the honor.
Elizabeth Thomas told Missourinet that this was the first year she has submitted her students’ work for the national tree and the first try was a success.
“I did have a class that had their artwork on the state Christmas tree in Jeff City, and we thought that was a big deal. But this is even better,” she said.
Thomas said her students are excited to have their ornaments on display at the national level.
Artwork by Teela Criddle
“They just couldn’t believe it, really. They were jumping up and down,” said Thomas.
She has been an art teacher for 31 years.
“I try to get my students’ artwork out in the public,” Thomas said. “And you know, this was something that came up, and I thought, ‘You know what? We’re going to try this and see what happens.’ And it was a way for my students to see your artwork go someplace besides the local area. Some of these children haven’t been maybe outside of the city of Scott City or Cape Girardeau area, so they’re seeing something that is part of our nation’s history. It also brings Washington, D.C. to Missouri.”
Their artwork will feature some of the great things of Missouri. Their ornaments will be on display in Washington, D.C. through the end of December.
The national Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be on CBS next Friday, December 20th, at 7 p.m.
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