Granite State artwork from seven Rundlett Middle School students is part of the National Christmas Tree display in Washington D.C. this year. The students, who are members of the National Junior Art Honor Society, are representing the state of New Hampshire with their submissions, colorful ornaments depicting their home state.
The ornaments were designed by eighth grade students Sadie Bengston, Sadie Chapman, Amy Descroches, Veronica Galdieri and Kaelyn Schmidt, and seventh grade students Jack Argue and Christopher Gurski. Their artwork was inspired by the prompt “what makes your state beautiful?” Many of the submissions feature landscape scenes with mountains and forests. Several feature the purple lilac, New Hampshire’s state flower, and one features a covered bridge.
The national Christmas tree is displayed on the Ellipse in President’s Park outside the White House in Washington D.C. In a ring around the national tree are 58 smaller trees representing U.S. states and territories, decorated with ornaments designed by students. The project is an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education.
The National Christmas Tree and the 58 accompanying trees with student ornaments will be on display until Jan. 1. It’s also possible to tour the display virtually on an Apple device, by searching “National Christmas Tree” in Apple Maps and selecting “look around.”