Various classes have commented about the sorry state of the two trees, but I think the trees have character. I brought in personalized snowmen and angels for the students and told them they could decide where to hang the ornaments.
I reminded them that school would not be the same without any one of the students represented by those ornaments. Each student has a special place in the dynamic of a school and we should be thankful for the various qualities that they each person brings to the community.
It was interesting to watch the students with the ornaments.
The seniors, always wanting to be different and above the crowd, bypassed the branches and hung their ornaments from the ceiling.
The juniors noticed that the little tree had no tree topper, so they created one by placing all their ornaments on the top branches.
The sophomores placed theirs here and there throughout the branches. Most of them are still figuring out where they fit into the scheme of things.
The freshmen, always feeling that they get no respect, wanted their own tree. That's why the other tree is out of storage and propped against the wall.
Each time a student makes a comment about either tree, I encourage that student to do something to make one of the trees look better. Don't complain and expect someone else to fix the problem. Take action yourself to make a difference.
Remember Charlie Brown's little tree? Its needles were falling off and it was the littlest tree on the lot, but Charlie saw promise in it. Initially, his friends disagreed.
After sharing this story, I saw recognition dawn on my students' faces.
Some of them said they watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year.
I have to admit it is a favorite of mine. Perhaps that's why I'm so partial to trees that are far from perfect.
And to kids who see promise in every branch.
Lisa Tedrick Prejean writes a weekly column for The Herald-Mail's Family page.
