By Jessica Easthope
Sixth grader Enzo Pincay won’t have to convince his mom his handmade ornament is good enough to put on their Christmas tree at home. It’s already on a tree at the White House.
“I think it’s such an honor I finally get to show my skills and my drawing to the president,” Enzo sai. “And I think that this could be very famous one day.”
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy in Belle Harbor was chosen by the National Parks Service to create ornaments for this year’s New York State tree in President’s Park, one of 59 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. It all started with an email to teacher Nancy Re. The subject line: FLOTUS needs you.
“If you know how much I love history and civics the idea that the First Lady of the United States needs my help was very exciting,” said Ms. Re.
Ms. Re said a friend who works in government submitted her name. She answered the call, and fast.
“The ornaments had to be completed by early September. So it was like, I am Ms. Re, I am your teacher and Merry Christmas! We are making tree ornaments,” she recalled.
58 sixth graders sent in ornaments and 24 were chosen to be on the tree. Ms. Re scanned and sent in each design. The originals are now the ultimate show and tell. Ms. Re had to make sure the entire state was represented, but Cassie Corvi insisted on a landmark a little closer to home.
“I’m actually going to the Trump Tower for Christmas with my family this year,” she said. “And also my two favorite things are Trump and Christmas.”
Each student wrote a short essay on the backs of their ornaments. From start to finish Ms. Re says this Christmas season she’s glowing with pride.
“Research, writing, artwork, I mean, they did everything,” she said. “And the most important thing was our current administration had a big emphasis on keeping Christ and Christmas, what Christmas is all about.”
From the Rockaways to the White House lawn the ornaments scream New York and Merry Christmas!