National Park-themed ornaments will adorn Maine’s tree in President’s Park
By Sarah Berthiaume
Special to the Pioneer Times
HOULTON, Maine — Think it’s a little early to start decorating for Christmas?
It isn’t if your ornaments are headed to a Christmas tree near the White House.
Ali Stone’s sixth-grade class at Greater Houlton Christian Academy got a head start on their Christmas spirit this year when they were selected by the National Park Foundation to be part of Ornaments Across the USA. Ornaments made by the sixth-graders will adorn the State of Maine tree at President’s Park at the White House.
“It is an immense honor to represent Maine,” said Stone.
According to a press release, this year’s ornaments will be honoring each state’s national parks and are also a way to pay tribute to the upcoming National Park Service Centennial in 2016.
Stone said a project like this helped her students not just learn facts about Maine’s national parks, but also make some great memories of their own.
“The students are excited to be part of the America Celebrates display because now they have a personal connection to living history in our nation’s capitol,” she added.
Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, shared that excitement.
“We’re thrilled to carry on the time-honored tradition of debuting ornaments from all over the country,” Shafroth said. “And we’re honored to have the sixth grade from Greater Houlton Christian Academy represent Maine in this year’s America Celebrates display.”
Making Christmas ornaments for the White House trees isn’t just all glue and paint, though.
Stone said they started with some in-depth research, looking up places in Maine supported by the National Park Service. Then, teams of students tapped into their artistic side. They spent about two weeks, creating ornaments that are miniatures of selected scenes from the Appalachian Trail, the Maine Acadian Heritage Council sites and Acadia National Park. In total, the class created 12 ornaments for the Maine tree.
“Each of our students was deeply involved in the whole process,” Stone said. “ The project belonged to the students from start to finish.”
Lucas Matheson said he enjoyed working on the project with his class.
“It was fun,” he added.”And it made me feel important.”
Sarah Stillings said she enjoyed the artistic side of the project.
“The best part was creating the models for the [ornaments],” she said. “I think it’s a one-of-a-kind project and a great opportunity.”
The Christmas trees in President’s Park are one of America’s oldest Christmas traditions. President Calvin Coolidge organized the first tree lighting ceremony there in 1923. This year’s National Tree Christmas Tree Lighting, featuring ornaments from the local students, will be Thursday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
