CHARLESTON, W.Va. - First Lady Gayle Manchin is encouraging all classes – K to 12th grade – to create an “energy” themed ornament to be displayed on the State Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be located in the Capitol Rotunda.
“We have had great success with kids getting involved in this ornament competition throughout the years,” First Lady Gayle Manchin said. “This marks the fifth year for the ornament competition and we are hoping for the largest one yet. We invite all kindergarten through 12th grade classes to join in the holiday festivities and submit ornaments to help us decorate our Christmas tree.”
In order to give sufficient time for the winning classes to be notified, each decorated ornament must be received no later than Friday, November 6, 2009. For information contact Molly George at 304-558-2440 or by email at molly.e.george@wv.gov.
The first lady added, “This competition had become a winter tradition in this administration and big part of our annual holiday celebration – Joyful Night. It allows us to showcase the talent of students from all across the Mountain State.”
This is the fifth annual ornament competition; in the past, students were asked to create everything from a bell to a star to a snowflake to a stocking decoration. This year, the scope was broadened and the competition was expanded; every classroom in the state is invited to submit an ornament that reflects or represents energy in some way. The ornaments will be classified in four divisions according to grade: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each ornament will be individually judged, and four winning classes will be selected, one from each division.
The four winning classes will be visited by the first lady at their schools during the holiday season.
The ornaments and the Christmas tree will be unveiled in conjunction with Joyful Night, the annual holiday celebration at the State Capitol, held in early December.
During the holidays at the Governor’s Mansion, the winning ornaments will be displayed in the Grand Foyer, and in January 2010, then the winning ornaments will be donated to the West Virginia State Museum for their permanent collection.