By Betty Gandee

All local Clay County elementary schools participated in a tree decorating contest at the county courthouse.

Each school was responsible for coming up with a theme, making decorations, and decorating their schools’ tree at the courthouse on Friday, Dec. 14. Each year the school that wins the contest gets a pizza party provided by Clay County Bank, and their tree will be displayed in the center window during the next holiday season.

This year’s winning tree was decorated by H.E. White Elementary and its theme was the “Pioneer Express.” The theme derived from the movie Polar Express and ornaments were made by each class to depict parts of the movie.  There were snowflakes, hot coco, candy canes, bells, and ticket ornaments made by students the previous week.  To tie the theme together, there was a chain made to represent train tracks and gift boxes lined up as the train around the tree. The fifth-grade class had the honor of taking all ornaments and decorating the school’s tree.

Along with winning the tree decorating contest, students from H.E. White participated in the annual Christmas card contest sponsored by Poca Valley Bank.  With over 1,400 entries in this contest, fourth grader Cierra Keenan won first place in the contest with her winning design.  The fourth grade class also won honorable mention- Audrey Paxton and Special Saying -Jasmine Johnson.

Poca Valley Bank representatives were very impressed by the hard work this class showed and surprised them with a visit and presents for each one of them this past week.  Great job and keep up the good work Pioneers.