Manchin
CHARLESTON -- First Lady Gayle Manchin is encouraging all kindergarten classes and 12th grade art students to create a bell ornament to be displayed on the State Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be located in the Capitol Rotunda.
"This marks the third year for the ornament competition and we are hoping for the largest one yet," First Lady Gayle Manchin said. "We invite all kindergarten classes and 12th grade art 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 class to be notified, each decorated bell must be received no later than Friday, November 9, 2007. For information contact Martha McKee at (304)558-2440 or by email at mmckee@wvosea.org.
"For three years now, we have been so impressed with our students' dedication and creativity," the first lady added. "This competition allows us to showcase arts in school, while also encouraging students to become involved with our state's annual Christmas celebration – Joyful Night."
This is the third annual ornament competition; in the past, students were asked to create a star and snowflake decoration. 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. The entire winning kindergarten class will be invited to join the governor and the first lady on the platform to "flip the switch" on the huge lighted outdoor tree.
During the holidays at the Governor's Mansion, the winning ornament from the kindergarten class and the 12th grade student will be displayed in the Grand Foyer, and in January 2008, these two winning ornaments will be donated to the West Virginia State Museum for their permanent collection. The winners, their teachers and families will be invited to a reception in the Mansion, prior to Joyful Night.