By Don Steen
Staff Writer n reporter@psci.net
Rockport Elementary students had a high-profile guest as they celebrated the end of their school year Tuesday, May 19. Congressman Mark Messmer stopped by for a brief visit on his way back to Washington D.C., and he came bearing gifts. Well, technically, he was returning some.
Messmer dropped off the 18 ornaments made by students to adorn the Indiana State Christmas Tree in the nation’s capital. Rockport Elementary had the honor of representing the state this past holiday season, and Messmer boasted that they made the Indiana tree, “the best in all 50”.
The District 8 Representative even went so far as to put that into the Congressional Record on December 16.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary group of young 8th District Hoosier artists from Indiana’s Rockport Elementary School – whose handmade Christmas ornaments are beautifully representing our great state at this year’s National Christmas Tree Lighting Festival.
Each year, students from across the country are chosen to design Christmas tree ornaments that reflect the beauty and character of their home state.
This year, Rockport Elementary’s students in my District created wonderful ornaments that celebrate the spirit of Indiana – with some ornaments honoring our proud agricultural heritage, and others displaying our state bird – the ruby red Northern cardinal, and our state flower – the elegant peony.
Their artwork showcases everything from the Indy 500 race to our perpetual rolling cornfields and even pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home. These students didn’t just create decorations – they captured the spirit of our Hoosier state for the whole nation to admire.
When I landed in Washington D.C. this week, I went straight from the airport to visit our special state tree nearby the White House Christmas tree. I was so proud to see the artistry of our students and am inspired by their talent and creativity.
I would like to congratulate every student who contributed to this wonderful display, as well as their teachers and families, who have encouraged their education and talents. Rockport Elementary has made Indiana proud, and I am honored to recognize their achievement here today.
While the congressman could not stay long, having a flight to catch, Messmer presented a copy of his speech on the House floor accompanied with the original art for the ornaments. He also had some words of congratulations for art teacher Veralynn Neal, who is retiring after nearly four decades in education, 29 years of which were invested here at Rockport Elementary.
Neal spearheaded Rockport Elementary’s highly competitive bid to get its ornaments on the state tree. Messmer noted she was capping her career with quite a feather in her cap.
“Rockport Elementary is located in the southernmost part of Indiana, along the Ohio River,” Art Teacher Veralyn Neal explained to out-of-state visitors to the National Christmas Tree website, thenationaltree.org. “We are in Spencer County, Indiana, where Abraham Lincoln grew up from the age of 7 to 21. Our ornaments reflect our local heritage and things special to the state of Indiana.”
Messmer presented Neal with her own personal copy of his speech to the House of Representatives to carry with her into retirement. Her students were also given back the ornaments that had, for one special season, graced the nation’s capital. It was quite a way to end a school year, not to mention a promising start to middle school for those heading to the South Spencer campus next fall.
Featured Image: Messmer joins the young artists who designed and crafted the state’s winning ornaments this year.
