ORNAMENTS by Mount Carmel School’s student artists will dazzle President’s Park (White house) in Washington, D.C. as part of the 95th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting display. The school’s Sophomore arts and Crafts students, under the direction of May Ling Colombo, created a variety of ornaments inspired by local interests, landmarks and icons of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Mate- rials used include paper, sand, wood, seashells and clay. Paper-cutting, wood carving, hand building and painting are some of the mediums showcased in the ornaments.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of the America Celebrates display this year because I am able to share with others the culture and heritage of the CNMI.” said Kalea Borja, Sophomores arts and Crafts student. “The students put a lot of thought and hard work into their creations to ensure that they represent the islands fittingly. I am extremely proud to see their ideas become reality.” added Mrs. Colombo.
The handcrafted ornaments will adorn one of 56 trees representing each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia from December 1, 2017 through January 1, 2018 as part of the America Celebrates display.
Presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, the National Christmas Tree Lighting is one of America’s oldest holiday traditions. the first lighting took place 95 years ago on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of 3,000 spectators on the Ellipse. Since 1923, each succeeding president has carried on the tradition.
For more event information and up- dates, please visit www.thenationaltree. org and follow the National Christmas Tree on Twitter at @TheNationalTree. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #NCTL2017. Through a partnership with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, Hallmark Channel will exclusively broadcast the National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, 2017.
