Capitol Christmas Tree

Student Who Created Ornament Wins Free Trip to Washington, DC to Light Wyoming’s Tree
Jackson, Wyoming – Daniel Sitter of Fairview became one of the luckiest kids in the nation today
when he/she was randomly selected by Jackson Mayor Mark Barron to travel to Washington, DC to
help the Speaker of the House of Representatives light the 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree being gifted
by the state of Wyoming.
Daniel Sitter’s name was drawn from more than 1000 Wyoming students who provided an ornament
for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree when Mayor Barron pulled from a large red bag on the Jackson
Town Square Sitter’s name to win a free trip to Washington, DC to participate in the official
December 7th lighting ceremony.
“This is not only a great day for Daniel Sitter, but the entire Jackson and Wyoming community,” said
Mayor Barron. “The Town of Jackson is proud to support Wyoming’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Project and looks forward to celebrating with the rest of the Cowboy State throughout the next two
months.”
Students from across Wyoming created handmade ornaments to adorn the Capitol Christmas Tree,
also known as “The People’s Tree.” More than 1000 students submitted ornaments and applications
to travel to DC. Daniel Sitter and a parent or guardian will receive roundtrip airfare to attend the
December 7 lighting ceremony, courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
Jerry Blann, Vice-President of JH AIR, spoke on behalf of Delta Air Lines today. He said, “Delta Air
Lines is pleased to be able to send one lucky Wyoming student to Washington, DC for the once in a
lifetime experience of lighting up the Capitol Christmas Tree. Delta is proud to be a partner in this
historic event for the state of Wyoming as well as the entire nation.”
For the first time, the state of Wyoming will be providing the U.S. Capitol with a 67-foot tree as well
as 75 accompanying trees to be displayed throughout the Capitol complex. As part of this gift, the
citizens of Wyoming have made and donated nearly 6,000 ornaments to adorn the trees. Ornaments
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have been donated from individuals as well as schools, civic clubs, church groups and various
community organizations throughout the state.
“We are delighted that Daniel Sitter will be representing Wyoming in Washington, DC at the official
lighting ceremony in December,” said U.S Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator Mary Cernicek. “This
is a time honored tradition and we know that Daniel will make us proud.”
The Bridger-Teton National Forest, at the request of Senator John Barrasso, is leading the State of
Wyoming in the delivery of the Capitol Christmas Tree for 2010.
The Capitol Christmas Tree will grace the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol in December 2010.
The Architect of the U.S. Capitol has already selected a 67-foot Engelmann spruce from the Bridger-
Teton National Forest which will be cut, loaded, covered and prepped for travel in November to
Washington, D.C.
In mid-November, the tree will be toured across the state of Wyoming before heading east to the U.S.
Capitol. In late November, the tree will be delivered to the U.S. Capitol, where it will be lowered
into a 5-foot deep hole, strung with lights, and decorated with thousands of handcrafted ornaments
made by Wyoming people from across the State. In December, the Speaker of the House, along with
one Wyoming student, will light the tree and showcase Wyoming’s historical, cultural and natural
beauty.
Through the holiday season, the tree will be lit at dusk, where it will be enjoyed by people from
across world. The theme of Wyoming’s tree is “Wyoming-Forever West.”
For more information on the Capitol Christmas Tree for 2010, please visit
http://capitolchristmastree2010.org.