Historical images, youthful imaginations

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Students at Christian Learning Center used items located at national parks throughout the country for inspiration in creating ornaments. --Rayma Silvers/Herald-Tribune

Youthful imaginations will contribute to the trimmings adorning the Christmas tree on display during Fort Scott National Historical Site's annual Candlelight Tour this weekend.

Eugene Ware Elementary fifth-grade students walked to the historic site on Friday and hung their original creations on the Christmas tree in the fort's Grand Hall.

According to a press release from FSNHS Park Ranger Barak Geertsen, along with the students from Eugene Ware Elementary, students from the Christian Learning Center created their own ornaments crafted to resemble certain aspects of the National Parks throughout the United States.

"Ideally, each ornament should represent a different national Park area," the press release said. "There are over 380 units nationwide.

Each ornament should show one or more of the tangible resources of the park and attempt to tell one of the park's stories or convey its meanings."

The student activity was patterned from a similar ornament created last year by Iola-based artist Gary Hawk. Hawk painted an ornament depicting a scene from the FSNHS.

His ornament was displayed on the White House Christmas tree during the 2007 holiday season. During Fort Scott's Homes for the Holiday tour on Saturday, Dec. 6, Hawk will be displaying his work and discussing the process by which he created the White House ornament, according to the press release.

"To engage children in this event, the staff of Fort Scott NHS is inviting area students to create their own ornaments, similarly based on National Parks," the press release said. "These ornaments will be displayed on the fort's holiday tree, which will be available for viewing during Gary Hawk's presentation and during Fort Scott's Candlelight Tour on Dec. 5 and 6."

The student's involvement in the FSNHS ornament program benefits both the fort and the students, the press release said.

"The students who participate in this project will gain more knowledge about the national parks and possibly develop a desire to preserve them," the press release said.

"Students will be challenged to be creative and use their imaginations in coming up with different designs. Students might gain more of a positive self-esteem through the creation of works of art and seeing their creations on display."

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