Editor's Note: Tthe Saipan Tribune is featuring each of the Christmas tree entries in PDM Promoters' Green Christmas contest. Each of the trees featured are now on display at the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan.
San Antonio Elementary School came up with a tropical island feel for their Christmas tree in this year's Paseo de Marianas tree decoration contest.
Rita Carreon, kindergarten teacher and student council advisor for SAES, said the entire school from the kindergarten to the sixth grade participated in the event.
“From time to time, the students would go over there to decorate the tree,” she said.
The tree has ornaments of latte stones made from empty soda cans that were painted gold.
For garlands, the students tied straws to a string and wrapped them around the tree.
Sina Palacios, SAES student and student council officer, said the ornaments were all made of recycled items. “We also added some paint and glitter,” she said.
A handmade octopus head atop the tree is made of paper and stuffing. The octopus head is intended to symbolize the school's mascot and the garland made of plastic was made to look like octopus tentacles.
“The students put in a lot of work and time into the tree to help make the island beautiful. I hope we win,” Carreon said.
SAES also participated in the tree-decoration contest held by first lady Josie Fitial at the Francisco C. Ada International Airport.
There, students were also asked to decorate a tree using recycled items. Of the eight schools that participated, SAES came in second and was awarded $300 on behalf of the First Lady Vision Foundation.
“A lot of people kept asking us if our ornaments were bought,” Carreon said. “But they were all made of recycled items and handmade by the students.”
Carreon said that it took a lot of work on the students' and teachers' part in decorating the tree. “More importantly, [this activity is] helping keep the island stay clean and beautiful.”
The SAES tree at the Paseo is also vying for the first place in the tree decoration contest. SAES is one of the thirteen schools participating in this year's contest. The awarding will take place on Dec. 20.
Truman Shiro, SAES student and student council officer, said, “Win or lose, have a very merry Christmas.”
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