Beitel Elementary was nominated by the Wyoming Department of Education to represent the entire state of Wyoming at the “America Celebrates” National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington D.C. this holiday season, according to Mandi Pollard, an art teacher at Beitel Elementary.

The “America Celebrates” ornament program is an annual collaboration of the NPS, NPF, and the U.S. Department of Education. As part of the 2022 National Christmas Tree experience on the Ellipse in President’s Park (one of America’s 423 national parks), schools from across the country and abroad have created one-of-a-kind ornaments for 58 trees. This year, more than 2,600 students participated in the program.

Artwork made by 11 different Beitel students ranging from kindergarten all the way to 5th grade has been selected to be made into ornaments that will be displayed on a tree next to the “official” National Christmas Tree in President’s Park.

All of this artwork was created by students during their Art classes with art teacher, Miss Mandi Pollard here at Beitel. While Miss Pollard has been covering the art aspect of this project, Mrs. Jamie Fowler, Miss Bethany Ingle, and the principal, Mr. Loren Engel, have been in constant communication with representatives from D.C. on behalf of the America Celebrates program, in order to organize this amazing partnership and make this dream a reality!

They are so excited to represent the amazing state of Wyoming with the art and creativity of Beitel's talented students.

The 100th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on November 30 and is free and open to visitors from December 2 – January 1, 2023. If you happen to find yourselves in DC, make sure to check them out!

The ceremony is presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. In partnership with NPF, CBS will broadcast the 2022 ceremony on Sunday, December, at 6 PM MST.

For more information about the National Christmas Tree Lighting, click HERE.

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