CA Wins Christmas Trees Around the World
by Hailey Lee ~ Health Assistant, Class of 2026 and the Eagle Staff
edited by Mackenzie Bollinger ~ Cosmetology, Class of 2025
Though Christmas day has come and gone, many still are enjoying the soft glow of their own trees for at least a little while. Some traditions call for a beautiful tree adorned with ornaments that appeal to the beauty of the season; others have significant meaning that causes memories to flood back with each ornament placed on a branch. At LCCTC, it has been a tradition for the shops to create a “shop tree” for the annual Holiday Dance, but this year, it took on a challenge that required program theory with an academic approach to accomplish, and the results were incredible!
Once the “Christmas Around the World” theme was decided, the advisors created an idea, “Let’s challenge them to decorate trees that represent different countries we’re studying in World Cultures?” and they drew countries for each program to represent. From there, the kids used the science of color harmony, technology to research and locate resources, engineering to craft decorations using resources from their shops, and math to calculate the proper size and amount of ornaments needed to make the magic happen.
Oil and Gas was happy to drill into their creative side. Representing Australia, the theme of their tree was “down under” – which is why the entire tree was upside down! The students came up with the idea for everything. Thinking outside the box, they zip-tied their tree so it would hang upside down. Featured on their tree were elves and ornaments from “found” items within their shop.
Cosmetology turned to YouTube, and, as a class, researched Christmas trees from Brazil, their assigned country. One of the more interesting findings was that fireworks were very important during this holiday. As a result, they added bright colors and, of course, the colors of their country’s flag, green, yellow, and the midnight blue of the starry sky.
When the Health Assistant program drew China, they first intended to run with a fortune cookie idea, but the design didn’t seem to be “enough”. That’s when students put their heads together, did a little more research, and soon found miniature Chinese lantern ornaments. They sent their teacher the link they found and, as if they were made by Santa’s elves themselves, the additional decorations were on their way. As a group, they decorated the tree together over two days. It wasn’t about the final result, though they were proud of their final product — it was the “journey” halfway around the world together that counted.
German straw stars and nutcrackers adorned the Service Occupation tree. Splashes of bright red poinsettias and golden berries added depth and character to this beautiful tree. Matching nutcracker ribbon trailed down this Tannenbaum, and though it was an original tradition to place a star on a rooftop, later years brought it inside to adorn the top of the tree as it does with this one.
Gingerbread men adorned the Restaurant Trade program’s Icelandic tree. Christmas in Iceland includes the baking of small, decorated cookies which include ones made from gingerbread, so it made a lot of sense for this to be a focal point for this beautiful frosted blue tree. A garland of Icelandic flags and blue snowflakes added a perfect touch to this frosty wonder.
The Construction program drew Mexico on its world tour. After their research, they put their hands-on skill to work. One student painted a piñata. They painted the inside of their black framed box to represent the night sky because they also wanted to incorporate the traditional Christmas story, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”. A traditional multi-colored scarf served as the centerpiece.
The Electrical program drew Russia for their country. The students not only did the research; they did it all! The students created traditional childhood toys featuring nested eggs and nested dolls. They also selected to include religious artifacts. “I was impressed,” claims Mr. Montini. “They made everything and didn’t buy anything.” The students printed each cut out. It was certainly a group project, and they shared that it was a lot of fun to do – together.
Machine Tool Technology’s teacher was excited to draw Scotland as his program’s theme because he is Scottish. It was easy for him to incorporate the flags and traditional kilt and “pretty much anything that screams ‘Scotland’!” This included a Scottish Sporran, a bag that stores snacks and keeps hunger at bay. Miller was able to incorporate a bit of instructional opportunities using the 3D printer to make the ornaments and swords which were related to Mary, Queen of Scots. In the end, he and the students in MTT were proud to feature Scotland as their tree.
The Computer and Office Technology program chose to approach Sweden, their designated country, with commercial logos including a modified blue and yellow Spotify logo in the colors of the country’s flag. Ikea, one of the most recognizable Swedish companies took center stage at the base, and bright red pixellated Swedish fish added a bit of festivity to the tree.
One of our favorite ornaments on the Vet Assistant program’s tree featured a beagle asking: “So I can’t bring a stick inside, but you’re allowed a whole tree?” Draped in red, white, and blue, paper-link-garland, this tree features photos of animals native to America and includes bison, bears, hummingbirds, and squirrels! At the very top, VA celebrated the fact that our country is considered to be a great “melting pot” and placed a modified Statue of Liberty, a puppy holding up a bone, at the top.
Because tree decorating at LCCTC is traditionally a contest, a panel of non-biased, “expert” judges made of LCCTC staff members had to make a final, though challenging, decision, and in the end, one program rose to the top of the scoring sheets: Commercial Art. CA drew Norway. Traditional Norweigan woven hearts were scattered across the boughs while images of “krumkake” – a traditional Christmas tree-shaped cake, and a “brunad” – a traditional folk costume that resembles those found in Disney’s Frozen were turned into ornaments. A sign featuring the phrase “Varme Onsker Fra Norge” (translated: “Warm Wishes from Norway”) was at the center, flanked by Viking longships and Norweigan flag sails. Most impressive were the “gnomies”, hand-designed and laser-cut from balsa wood; these special ornaments were such a hit that the CA program decided to use them as a fund-raiser – each featured for $5. At the very top was a replica of a Norwegian Stave Church that featured its multiple rooftops and spires made of axe-cut wood and secured together with wooden nails.
Congratulations CA – but congratulations to every program that participated! Each unique tree brought an awareness and appreciation for a variety of Christmas traditions – all around the world!