The state of Virginia will be proudly represented at the White House during the holiday season thanks to a group of Old Donation School art students.
Art teacher Dr. Leigh Drake is president of the Virginia Art Education Association and was invited to select a class this past spring to submit Christmas tree ornament designs for one of 59 trees lining the “Pathway to Peace.”
The walkway is near the National Christmas Tree south of the White House in Washington, D.C.
She chose one of her seventh grade art classes.
“They were always eager to take on new challenges,” she said. “When I introduced this, their eyes lit up.”
The assignment was to create artwork on five by 5-inch paper templates focused on what makes Virginia beautiful.
The students’ designs were scanned and submitted. Seventeen were chosen to be transformed into 2026 ornaments for the tree highlighting their home state.
Tess Scharver included the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Henry Lighthouse and a beautiful sunset. “That’s the Virginia Beach I know,” she said.
The flowering dogwood, Virginia’s official state flower and tree, was featured on Hannah Hardy’s ornament.
“It’s neat to be able to display what makes our state beautiful,” she said.
Finlee Riordan drew a Virginia bluebell, a perennial wildflower commonly found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. “My family goes on hikes and bluebells are some of the things we like to find,” she said.
The fishing industry was the theme of Logan Vastardis’ drawing, while classmate Emilia Beschier focused on marine life, including seaweed, coral, turtles and a dolphin.
Julia Schroeder combined ocean waves with farms and rolling hills.
“There’s so much water here and I have cousins in the Piedmont region,” she said.
In 1923, the first National Christmas Tree was a 48-foot balsam fir. The first tree lighting ceremony began during President Calvin Coolidge’s administration.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower expanded the Christmas tree tradition in 1954 by adding smaller trees lined up near the National Christmas Tree.
He invited kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout the United States to design one-of-a-kind ornaments focused on what makes their home special.
Each tree represents a U.S. state or territory.
ODS principal Joel Guldenschuh applauded Drake for offering students the opportunity to showcase Virginia through their artistic talents.
“At ODS, we are proud of Dr. Drake’s commitment to supporting visual art projects for our students,” he said.
Drake said being selected to represent Virginia was an honor for the students.
“Their creativity and hard work will be displayed on a national stage while celebrating the spirit and heritage of our state,” she said.
The National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 3.
To view the ornaments and for more details, visit www.thenationaltree.org/ornaments/virginia.
