Sandy Springs students design, decorate official GA Christmas tree in D.C.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Some metro Atlanta students helped decorate Georgia's official Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. 

Nineteen students from Riverwood International Charter School's National Art Honor Society were invited to design ornaments to decorate a Christmas tree representing the state of Georgia. The 6-foot state tree is currently on display surrounding the National Christmas Tree in President's Park, which is located outside the White House. 

A total of 56 smaller trees surround the National Christmas Tree, each representing a U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia. Riverwood, which is a high school in Sandy Springs, was chosen as the sole provider of handmade ornaments for Georgia's 2018 tree. 

The Riverwood students included Allie Abbott, Chloe Capes, Anaya Chennault, Morgan Cohen, Maria Coles, Ari Feingold, Alexis Fernandez-Hernandez, Diana Harden, Elizabeth Hernandez, Grecia Hernandez, Hague Johnson, Riley Mehrman, Liza Miller, Nissa Newman, Sage Patterson, Maggie Regier, Jacob Smith, Sydney Williams and Christal Woodward.

“It’s really exciting to think about my work being displayed in front of so many people. I think it’s so cool that Riverwood was given this unique opportunity to represent the entire state of Georgia," said junior Chloe Capes.

“Creating an ornament for the President's Park is such a great experience," said Maggie Regier, also an 11th grader. "I think it is amazing that my work will be featured there.”