OXFORD – The Oxford Holiday Committee’s 6th annual Recycled Holiday Ornament contest winners were announced by the honorable Oxford Village Mayor, Terry Stark at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 29. All 69 ornament entries from 34 Oxford Academy Primary School students are considered winners, and have received Certificates of Recognition as a show of gratitude; however, three place awards in each grade were selected.
Gift certificates from Oxford merchants were sponsored by the Oxford Holiday Committee. They were from Nice ‘N Easy/Valero for $15 gift cards (that could be used for a pizza), the Clachan Coffee House for hot chocolates topped with whipped cream, and Hoppie’s ice cream parlor for ice cream sundaes. In addition, the DEC donated keepsake mugs of recycled material which will be given to the second place winners and NY Recycles calendars for third place.
The students who showed outstanding creativity and an exceptional understanding of the concept of recycling are:
In UPK, 1st: Emily Martin, in Mrs. Abbott’s class, for her Christmas tree made of lids.
2nd: Noah Forsythe, in Mrs. Cirello’s class, for his gold popsicle stick star.
Tie in 3rd Place: Hailey Fleury, in Mrs. Abbott’s class, for her cardboard tube Santa
and Aidan Rogers, also of Mrs. Abbott’s class, for his plastic bottle Santa.
In Kindergarten, 1st: Lucas Forsythe, in Mrs. Seiler’s class, for his eggshell snowman.
2nd: Ethan Fleury, in Mrs. Cazer’s class, for his red and green tube ornament.
In First Grade: 1st: Emma Hodge, in Mrs. Korver’s class, for her gift wrap wreath.
2nd: Samuel Gracin, for his recycled cards hanging.
3rd Place: Jacob Ruff, in Mrs. Collier’s class, for his “Grinch Going Down the Chimney.”
In Second Grade: 1st: Jonah Loughren, in Mrs. Crystie’s class, for his “Spirit of St. Nick” bi-plane.
2nd: Spencer Gracin, in Mrs. Albin’s class, for his scrap stained glass and can lid hanging.
3rd: Jacob Forsythe, in Mrs. Paden’s class, for his foil candy wrappers drum.
In Third Grade: 1st: Andrea Maelynn Dempsey, for her cardboard tube “Rainbow Star.”
2nd: Morgan Rogers, in Mrs. Connelly’s class, for her plastic bottle penguin.
3rd: Gillian Mulder, also in Mrs. Connelly’s class, for her A-frame house of CDs.
In Fourth Grade: 1st: Elizabeth Fuller, for her soda bottle and foil folk dancer.
2nd: Jacob Loughren, in Mr. Luhrs’ class, for his OJ box snowman house.
3rd: Richard Hathaway, in Mr. Kappauf’s class, for his plastic lid snowmen scene.
Students received their personalized ‘Certificates of Recognition’, gift certificates and DEC gifts in school. The document states that, “…while you were having fun creating something from waste materials, you were also learning that if you’re clever, sometimes trash can be reused. This is what environmental conservation is all about.”
The DEC also generously donated pencils (made from recycled currency) and an informative “NY Recycles” conservation booklet, for all entering students.
Don’t miss seeing these Recycled Holiday Ornaments. They will appear on the internet at www.oxfordny.com/community/schools -compliments of Woollybear Web. All entries are currently on display for the month of December in the window of 6 On The Square, a performing arts center and gallery in Oxford at 6 LaFayette Park.
The Oxford Holiday Committee gives a very big thank you to the Oxford Mayor who proclaimed November as Oxford Recycles Month, to the DEC for giving this contest statewide recognition, to the supportive Oxford businesses, to all the Oxford Academy Primary School students for participating in this contest, and to principal, Mr. McDonald, art teacher Nicole Hanehan and to the teachers and parents for all their support. Thank you all for making this such a success.