W. Buncombe Makes National Christmas Tree Display

West Buncombe Elementary School is representing the whole state at the National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

West Buncombe Elementary School is representing the whole state at the National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C.

Fifty-six schools from each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia designed one-of-a-kind ornaments for the 2020 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. These unique ornaments will adorn 56 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. Earlier this school year, West Buncombe fourth-grade students drew circular designs that included North Carolina landmarks, historical moments, state symbols, and more. The school chose 12 and sent them to the U.S. Department of Education to be made into plastic ornaments. They currently decorate the North Carolina Tree in President’s Park.

West Buncombe Principal Brian Chandler thanked State Superintendent Mark Johnson, who nominated the school for the honor.

“He did a visit during our JumpStart program, and I think he was very impressed with what we were doing,” Mr. Chandler said. “I’m extremely proud of this school and these students. As soon as the kids learned they were nominated, they started working on their designs. They were really excited.”

Fourth-grader Siri Green designed one of the 12 ornaments. It features a cardinal perched among dogwood flowers against a blue sky with the words “Merry Christmas” to one side.

“I’m really happy and proud of my ornament and my teachers and school, because we worked really hard,” she said. “It’s been a tough year, but 2020’s the year when our school got picked.”

Fellow fourth-grader Honey Jo Chandler drew the state butterfly (Eastern tiger swallowtail) on a pink dogwood flower with a mountain background and the phrase “North Carolina Is the Home I LOVE” written across the top.

“We studied hard to see what North Carolina was about and what would inspire us to do the ornaments,” she said.

She and fellow students have been learning about North Carolina history and symbols, said fourth-grade teacher Katy Titley.

West Buncombe Elementary School fourth-grader Enslee Pedersen works on an ornament.

“They combined social studies lessons about North Carolina with lessons in layering and shading from art to create an eclectic representation of our state,” she said. “It was such an honor for West Buncombe to be chosen. There were specialty art schools and high schools that represented other states.”

April Fore and her fourth-grade daughter, Adyson, traveled to Washington, D.C. last weekend to see Adyson’s ornament in person.

“The trip was fabulous, and the tree looked great,” Ms. Fore said. “I think it’s awesome that West Buncombe was selected as the one school from North Carolina to portray the school and our heritage. Not many times do you get to say you have artwork displayed at the nation’s capital, so I think this is an amazing experience for the kids and a great memory.”

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The students selected are:
- Charlie Berry
- Honey Jo Chandler
- Lily Fleming
- Ady Fore
- Jaxon Garrison
- Payton Gauthier
- Siri Green
- Cruz Mayorga-Maldonado
- Enslee Pedersen
- Bella Silver
- James Swann
- Avelyn Towe

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