A junior high school student's Christmas ornament will be displayed at the Texas Capitol.
"Congrats to San Jacinto art student Jayla Arce, who will have her artwork displayed on the Christmas tree at the State Capitol in Austin," Midland Independent School District (ISD) wrote in a Facebook post. "Thanks to State Rep. Tom Craddick for making this opportunity possible, and to SJ art teacher Mrs. Hicks! #StudentExperience #MISDProud #MadeinMISD."
According to the Texas Capitol Ornament Program, Nelda Laney established the initiative in 1996 in an effort to raise funds for education programs and renovation projects at the Capitol. Laney is the wife of then-House Speaker Pete Laney. Among some of the projects that have been restored at the Capitol are historic paintings and the installation of historically accurate floor coverings in the House and Senate chambers.
MISD post
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Craddick’s wife, Nadine, and Julie Straus, wife of former Speaker Joe Straus, are among those who have continued the tradition, according to the Texas Capitol Ornament Program. Ornaments chosen to be displayed on a Christmas tree typically feature an architectural detail of the Texas State Capitol building.