Governor Jan Brewer Announces Selection of Arizona Charter School to Represent State during National Christmas Tree Lighting

“I am thrilled that Freedom Academy Charter School was chosen to design ornaments for Arizona’s tree in Washington, D.C.,” said Governor Brewer. “I would like to thank the students for their creativity and enthusiasm in creating the ornaments to represent the State of Arizona in our nation’s Capitol.”
This year each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia designed and created 26 ornaments each. Twenty-five of the ornaments will be hung from the state or territorial tree as part of the National Christmas Tree display on the Ellipse. One of the ornaments will decorate the White House Visitor Center Christmas tree which showcases each state/territory ornament.

“Freedom Academy is honored and privileged to have been chosen to create the Christmas ornaments that will adorn the Arizona tree in the National Christmas tree display in Washington D.C.,” said Carrie Valentino, Art Teacher at Freedom Academy. “The sun and saguaro cactus were the themes of the two designs that students from both Freedom Academy’s campuses helped make. The students had a lot of fun working on the ornaments and are excited to represent our great state.”

“We are delighted to have Freedom Academy Charter School participating in this year’s National Christmas tree display,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. “This event is a wonderful example of how our national parks connect us as a nation.”

As one of our country’s oldest holiday traditions, the National Christmas Tree Lighting began on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of 3,000 spectators on the Ellipse. Since 1923, each succeeding President has carried on the tradition of what now has become a month-long event presented by the National Park Foundation and National Park Service.