Representative Dwayne Bohac Presents Ornament Designed by Local High School Student for Texas House Christmas Tree
AUSTIN—Representative Dwayne Bohac (Houston) was pleased to present the House District 138 ornament that will be displayed on the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree in the Texas House Chamber. Every year around Christmas, each State Legislator from all 150 House Districts chooses an organization, school or individual to design an ornament for the official Texas House Christmas Tree. The ornaments, representing the culture and personality of each district, are hung throughout the Season on the tree.
“This year's ornament was designed by Xochitl Gomez, a Sophomore from Spring Woods High School,” said Rep. Bohac. “I am very proud of Xochitl. I know her ornament will be the most admired!”
“Xochitl was inspired by winter approaching and the poinsettia being a flower for Christmas, and she wanted to feature our mascot which is a tiger on the other side,” said Spring Woods HS Art teacher Karen Bodour Barnett. “She also incorporated District 138 subtly into the design. She wanted both sides to be painted with an image. She began with an all-over coat of green and then painted the flower and tiger. By painting several coats it helped to add strength to the glass ball.”
The district ornament project was initiated in 2009 to give all the unique Texas communities a place on the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree in the Chamber of the Texas House of Representatives. This year, the House Christmas tree is a 26-foot-tall Virginia Pine from Marshall Cathey's farm in Denison, Texas. It arrived in the House chamber on November 29, and with its arrival, the House reopened after seven months of renovations. The ornaments were placed on the tree and will hang through January 2, 2017. The story of each ornament is displayed in an album in the House Chamber so that visitors to the Capitol may learn each ornament's story.
The album may also be viewed online.
The House chamber is open to the public. Rep. Bohac encourages all constituents to visit their state Capitol during the holiday season.