OXFORD – The Oxford Holiday Committee’s ninth annual Recycled Holiday Ornament contest winners were announced by the honorable Oxford Village Mayor, Terry Stark at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 25. All 56 ornament entries from Oxford Academy Primary School and 6 entries from Oxford’s Head Start are considered winners, and will receive Certificates of Recognition as a show of gratitude; however, place awards in each grade were selected.
Gift certificate prizes from Oxford merchants - Big Blue’s/Valero for $15 gift cards good for a large pizza, Chubb’s for hot chocolates topped with whipped cream, and Hoppie’s ice cream parlor for ice cream sundaes. In addition, the DEC donated tote bags, mugs made of recycled materials, and NY Recycles 2013 calendars for prizes.
The students, along with their families, who showed outstanding creativity and an exceptional understanding of the concept of recycling are:
In Pre-K, First Place: Blake Barrows for his egg carton star ‘tree topper’ with electric lights.
Second Place: Margaret Rovente for her plastic bag angel
Third Place: Kate Mackisoc for her trio of plastic silver bells

In Kindergarten, First Place: Tyler Buchetto for his plastic cup “Frosty the Snowman”
Second Place: Nate Capria for his “Santa’s Sleigh” of cardboard and popsicle sticks.
Third Place: Taegan Manwarren for his plastic bottle person.

In First Grade, First Place: Leah Oliver for her red plastic Santa on his sleigh
Tie Second Place: Bryice Reynolds’ miniature Christmas tree scene in a plastic bottle top
Also in Second Place: Victor Richette for his silver CD ornament
Tie: Third Place: Alysa Dunckel for her plastic bottle person
Also in Third Place: Jocelyn Finch for her colorful plastic bottle person

In Second Grade, First Place: Jillian Finch for her card Santa on a plastic sleigh
Second Place: John Ravente for his cardboard and wrapping paper Christmas tree
Third Place: Hailey Fleury for her plastic yogurt cup person

In Third Grade, First Place: Tricia Bohannon for her gold plastic bread tab ornament- made with 96 tabs!
Second Place: Ethan Fleury for his funky robot-man bottle with plastic paddle hands
Third Place: Liam O’Brien for his cotton-ball snowman

In Fourth Grade, First Place: Audrielle Clark for her paper coffee filter doll with silk flowers

Students will receive 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 (of recycled materials), some book covers, and several issues of Conservationist for Kids, 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 and Head Start students for participating in this contest, and to principal, Ms. Laytham, art teachers Katie Thomas and Charity Gipp and to the teachers and families for all their help and support. Thank you all for making this such a success!