Wisconsinites gathered to watch the Wisconsin State Capitol’s annual tree lighting ceremony Thursday celebrating Gov. Tony Ever’s “Year of the Kid” with ornaments from schools, students and families across the state on this year’s themed “Learning Tree.”
Classrooms from Madison-area schools rounded the Capitol Rotunda looking for their handmade ornaments made for the 30-foot balsam fir, as the La Crosse Central High School band performed musical arrangements and Kids from Wisconsin sang classic Christmas songs like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Jingle Bells.”
Evers, a former state superintendent and science teacher, made public education a top priority during his two terms as governor.
Evers said he encouraged students to “reflect on all the people who made learning possible and fun” when crafting their ornaments.
The tree is adorned with school buses, art supplies and pictures of students with their favorite teachers.
“The Learning Tree is just a way to show community between educators, parents, students and the rest of the Madison area,” Laura Howard, a special education teacher at Franklin Elementary told The Daily Cardinal.
With the help of 8th grader Ellie Mason, who shared her experiences with learning and admiration of teachers, Evers lit the tree’s 2,000 energy-saving multicolored LED lights.
Guest speaker Rodney Esser, or “Mr. Peanuts,” a custodian at Park Elementary School in Cross Plains, spoke during the ceremony on his 60 years of commitment to the school community.
“Every morning, these little people come into school along with staff, and they throw hugs at me and high fives,” Esser said. “You just feel better, you feel good. And the next day you get to do it all over again.”
This year's tree was donated by the Dave and Mary Vandervelden family from Gillett, Wisconsin and will be on display in the Capitol Rotunda through the end of the year for the community to enjoy.
Video Director Cameron Schneider contributed reporting to this story.
