Students at Blaney Elementary School in Elgin would like to spread the joy of Christmas in hospitals, celebrity’s homes.

By Becky Irvine
Staff writer

Christmas trees contribute to the magic and the beauty of the holiday season.

They are everywhere at this time of year.

Fifth grade students at Blaney Elementary School in Elgin recently got a chance to say something special about the Christmas spirit and the trees that symbolize it.

Their teachers, Lynette Smith, Roberta Hellams and Maxine Truesdale, posed this question to them:

“If you were a South Carolina Christmas tree, what a special place would you like to be in this holiday season?”

In a hospital, to spread joy and happiness, said Sabrina Reynolds, Steven Walker, Eric Pushic, Jenny Ray, Eric Cochran, David Haselden, Donny Lannan and Jolene Bushnell.

In a hospital for the handicap, said Shelly Anderson. In an orphanage, said Jamin Onley. In a nursing home for the elderly, said Michelle Morris and Cindy Farless, “with presents under us so they will know we love them.”

Jimmy Foreman wanted to be in his aunt’s house in Florida, while Brian Foxworth would like to be a 50-foot tree in the middle of the town of Elgin, “for everyone to see.”

Janet Ross would like to go back in time to “become the first Christmas tree in the home of Martin Luther in Germany,” bringing good cheer and smiling faces to all who saw her.

Homes of famous actors and musicians were popular choices, too. Bookie Kelly liked the idea of being Burt Reynold’s Christmas tree, while Donna Richardson, selected the house of Magnum P. I.’s Tom Selleck.

Kevin Dixon liked the location of the house of Janet Jackson of the Jackson five. Kim Strickland picked the home of actor-singer John Schneider.

Stephanie Watson said she’d like to be a 2-foot-tall tree in her own home. Anita McDowell, Kristie Wyatt and Paul Cannon said they wanted to be 20 feet tall.

Angie Gordon, Jack Branham, Howard Nelson and Melanie Drawdy said they would like to be in a home with lots of loving children.

Tonya Smith wants to be a cute 6-foot tree with lights. And she, and Roger Hudson, Dewayne Miles, Jay Johnson, Cindy Sessions, Scott Fanning, Mary Wilson, Charles Williams and Butch Lyles want to be in a cozy home.

Jimmy Peake would like to remain a Christmas tree in the forest – too shine when the stars reflected off him.

Charlene Marthers, Krishjen Auld and Kim Flowers wanted to serve as the official Christmas tree in the Governor’s Mansion.

Dawn Scott wanted to be a 20-foot tall tree in the State House, while Melody McNeil, Vermonica Tucker and Hope Wood said they’d be happy just to be an average-sized in the State House “to see what goes on around there.”

Being the White House Christmas tree was the delight of Keith Wood, Melissa Hatchell, Reni Bowen and Keith Dempsey, who also would like to be decorated with thousand-dollar bills, gold ornaments and pure silver tinsel. Jasper Tucker said he wanted to be a Washington, D. C., Christmas tree.

Teresa Turner and Brittie Cook wanted to share the joy of the holiday season as Christmas trees in the home of elderly persons or their grandmothers.

Dale Hornsby said he would choose to remain “right at the Christmas tree farm – because I hate getting chopped down.” Michael Kilpatrick would like to show off his decorations as a store Christmas tree, while Pam Ford would select a church location with happy children.

Cindy Richardson felt a bank would be a prime location because she could be decorated with money along with lights, gingerbread cookies, balls and all.

Scott Herbst would like to be a South Carolina-grown Christmas tree in the Rocky Mountains, taller than a house, so that people could “dance and sing around me and enjoy looking at me.”

John Brazell would opt for a site in a park “to gaze at the stars at night and be a Christmas tree for all the animals.”

Malinda Timmons and Kim Heath liked the notion of being Christmas trees in historic homes such as the Robert Mills house. They said unusual decorations would be available there.

Sheleese Clevenger, Maxi Powell and Melissa Jones all said they would like to be chosen as Christmas Trees by Santa Claus and travel to the North Pole.

And Billy Dollar said he’d like to be a Christmas tree in Santa’s bag, to be “left fully decorated at the home of someone who might not have a tree this Christmas.”