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12-2-20 — Students Design Ornaments for National Christmas Tree

Dec. 2, 2020 ~ Fifth graders at Rolling Ridge Elementary School have the distinct honor of being asked to design ornaments for the National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C. this holiday season. One school from each state, territory and the District of Columbia are selected each year to help with decorations for the 56 trees in President’s Park. Some ornaments may be displayed in the White House.

Art teacher Steve Peterik said about 20 students opted to do this voluntary project from home during remote learning. They followed strict guidelines about what could be included in the design.

“The kids who participated were super excited to be in on the project,” Peterik said. “When I was talking to our remote fifth graders, there were a couple who were vibrating they were so excited.”

The directions asked the young artists to focus on state symbols (state flower, tree, seal, flag, etc.) rather than politics or any one holiday. Students were asked to draw what makes their state beautiful by showing the people, places or things that capture the state’s spirit.

“Overall, I think all of the kids were blown away that our school, here in the middle of the country, would have the opportunity to have their work on a national stage,” Peterik said.

“I’ve been teaching for over 20 years and have been making my own art forever,” he said. “I’ve never had the opportunity to have student work or my work on a national stage, let alone the chance it may hang in the White House. The thought that a few years down the road these students can say as part of a conversation, ‘Yeah, I’ve had work hung in D.C., for the First Lady.’ The fact they have this opportunity, just amazes me.”

“Rolling Ridge is an outstanding school,” said Joyce Huser, the education program consultant for fine arts from the Kansas State Department of Education. “I submitted Rolling Ridge for that reason, however the selection needed to be vetted by the U.S. Department of Education.”

Rolling Ridge isn’t the only Olathe school with a tie to the National Christmas Tree celebration. Summit Trail Middle School director of bands Joshua Hankey was selected to perform with the duo of Lynda Randall and Michael Tait who will sing an arrangement of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Hankey plays alto saxophone.

The America Celebrates display is a collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Park Foundation. A video of the Dec. 3 tree lighting ceremony and photos of the ornaments will be available starting at 4 p.m. (Central time) by visiting the National Christmas Tree website. The trees in Washington, D.C. will be decorated through Jan. 1, 2021.