At Tuesday evening’s tree lighting ceremony at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice lit the state Christmas tree after festive music was delivered by various high school bands.

 

Afterwards, winners of the First Lady’s statewide ornament design contest were recognized at the State Culture Center. The first-place winner in the kindergarten through 2^nd grade division is Amy Ferber Reinhart’s Johnson Elementary School first grade class.

 

A stained-glass artist and vendor at The Sanctuary at The Starving Artist, Reinhart – a 1992 Bridgeport High School graduate – came up with a design project that involved every student in her class.

 

“I have 25 students and we created a reindeer using 25 recycled puzzle pieces to form a reindeer head with antlers,” she said. “We chose a red pom-pom puff for its nose and added large goodly eyes for fun!”

 

Reinhart said her students enjoyed the project and they were very excited to learn they had won the contest.

 

“In all the excitement or planning and creating the reindeer, I forgot to take a picture,” she said. “Who knew we would win?”

 

She was able to capture some photos at Tuesday's ceremony.

 

Reinhart said she tries to expose her students to art when possible. 

 

"With so mch curriculum to cover, I try to incorporate hands-on art within the academic subjects," she said. "Adding art or STEM to projects helps those students who may struggle with the academics find success in other ways." 

 

Word of the contest win came along with an invitation to attend Tuesday’s “Joyful Night” tree lighting, which also included armed forces and first responder recognition, a Governor’s Reception with refreshments and the reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a visit from Santa.

 

Other winners of the ornament contest were Roosevelt Elementary School in Point Pleasant (grades 3-5); Glen Fork Elementary/Middle School in Glen Fork (grades 6-8) and Huntington High School (grades 9-12).