By Stephen Smoot, The Pendleton Times
FRANKLIN, W.Va. — The nation’s capitol cannot seem to get enough of Pendleton County.
Last year, the United States Capitol Christmas Tree made a visit to Seneca Rocks. This year, West Virginia’s entry for the state tree on the White House lawn will feature ornaments crafted by students from Pendleton County Middle/High School.
The White House display is different than the U.S. Capitol Tree. It has a single national tree and smaller trees from every state and territory. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first in 1923 and it has remained a tradition ever since, as the website states “to celebrate the season as a place that symbolizes hope and unity.”
According to Hayley Craig, PCM/HS, student art work won the honor for their school. Schools from all over West Virginia compete for the honor of having their ornaments featured on the tree. For the past three years, the prize has gone to Robert L. Bland Middle School in Weston.
She said of Bland Middle School’s submissions for 2024 that “they’re ornaments were absolutely gorgeous.”
Craig shared that the theme this year was what makes your state beautiful. “My class decided to focus on wildlife in West Virginia,” she added.
