Harlem Middle School to Represent Illinois in DC
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On December 5, 2019 at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony located at The President's Park, Harlem Middle School in Loves Park, Illinois will be recognized as the school chosen to represent all 2,001,500+ students in our entire state! The credit for this recognition goes to the hard work and dedication of 24 7th grade Exploratory Art students. They have given up their free time after school for over a month to design and produce 24 beautiful handmade ornaments that honor the strength and diversity of our state.
Their enthusiasm has been so profound, the National Park Service used a quote from one of these students for the official National Park Service Press Release and invited each of these art students and their families to Washington D.C. for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony event. This is an honor that these students will cherish for their entire life, but we need your help. We are respectfully asking for your support to help make this trip for this once-in-a-lifetime honor possible for each of these students.
The majority of our students will be traveling to Washington D.C. by charter bus. In order for these 7th grade students to go, they must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. These adults have to take off time from their jobs in order to make this incredible opportunity a reality for their child. For most of these families, the financial burden is great, yet they are determined to make this happen.
The cost of the charter bus is $8,250. The bus will provide transportation to and from Loves Park, Illinois to Washington D.C. The bus will also transport these students and families to the national monuments in the evening and daytime, and to and from the ceremony. Your donation will help defer the cost of the charter bus, (bringing the cost from $8,250 to $3,250), making this mode of transportation affordable for these families.
There are over 2,001,500 students in Illinois. Since we have been given the honor to represent them all, it was incredibly important that this group of students also reflect the diversity that makes our state great. The 24 art students who were chosen are diverse racially, ethnically, by gender, by limitations physically, and by socioeconomic status. However, they share a commonality in that they are hard-working and incredibly dedicated to the process. These young artists have bonded as a group and remained enthusiastic while helping each other through each and every step. As their teacher and advisor on this project, I can truly say that it has been an absolute on honor and a privilege to work with these students. They have embraced what it means to work as a collective and embodied what it means to have pride in one's work. They have been steadfast in their dedication to represent our state through their artwork, and proudly spread the message of "Peace and Joy from Illinois" to the nation.
5-1/2" diameter clear globes were provided. Students painted three coats of glitter paint and acrylic paint to create the background color. The additional heart pendant was created using the same technique. The heart represents the love we have for our state. The 4 strand braid that surrounds the globe represents our diversity how we are stronger when we are together.
The white oak is Illinois' state tree. A symbol of strength and longevity, this heartly, deciduous tree holds onto many of its leaves throughout the winter. These leaves were created by tracing actual leaves from white oak tree branch given to us by Klehm Arboretum. After being traced, each leaf was carved and then detailed with brass enamel paint.
The outline of our state was also carved and given texture. Each one was detailed in red and brass enamel paint.
These students deserve to be present when the fruits of their labors are revealed to the nation. We ask for your financial support and prayers for safe travels.
Sincerely,
Ruth Meissen
Project Advisor
Harlem Middle School 7th Grade Exploratory Art Teacher
2008 Illinois Teacher of the Year
Their enthusiasm has been so profound, the National Park Service used a quote from one of these students for the official National Park Service Press Release and invited each of these art students and their families to Washington D.C. for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony event. This is an honor that these students will cherish for their entire life, but we need your help. We are respectfully asking for your support to help make this trip for this once-in-a-lifetime honor possible for each of these students.
The majority of our students will be traveling to Washington D.C. by charter bus. In order for these 7th grade students to go, they must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. These adults have to take off time from their jobs in order to make this incredible opportunity a reality for their child. For most of these families, the financial burden is great, yet they are determined to make this happen.
The cost of the charter bus is $8,250. The bus will provide transportation to and from Loves Park, Illinois to Washington D.C. The bus will also transport these students and families to the national monuments in the evening and daytime, and to and from the ceremony. Your donation will help defer the cost of the charter bus, (bringing the cost from $8,250 to $3,250), making this mode of transportation affordable for these families.
There are over 2,001,500 students in Illinois. Since we have been given the honor to represent them all, it was incredibly important that this group of students also reflect the diversity that makes our state great. The 24 art students who were chosen are diverse racially, ethnically, by gender, by limitations physically, and by socioeconomic status. However, they share a commonality in that they are hard-working and incredibly dedicated to the process. These young artists have bonded as a group and remained enthusiastic while helping each other through each and every step. As their teacher and advisor on this project, I can truly say that it has been an absolute on honor and a privilege to work with these students. They have embraced what it means to work as a collective and embodied what it means to have pride in one's work. They have been steadfast in their dedication to represent our state through their artwork, and proudly spread the message of "Peace and Joy from Illinois" to the nation.
5-1/2" diameter clear globes were provided. Students painted three coats of glitter paint and acrylic paint to create the background color. The additional heart pendant was created using the same technique. The heart represents the love we have for our state. The 4 strand braid that surrounds the globe represents our diversity how we are stronger when we are together.
The outline of our state was also carved and given texture. Each one was detailed in red and brass enamel paint.
These students deserve to be present when the fruits of their labors are revealed to the nation. We ask for your financial support and prayers for safe travels.
Sincerely,
Ruth Meissen
Project Advisor
Harlem Middle School 7th Grade Exploratory Art Teacher
2008 Illinois Teacher of the Year
Organizer
Ruth Meissen
Organizer
Loves Park, IL
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