For her essay, Brigette used the format of classic holiday poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas,” to write about the seasonal changes in Oregon. Gov. Kate Brown selected the winning essay, according to a press release, and showed up at Jackson Elementary to congratulate her in person.
“I’m feeling pretty amazed and excited. It’s such an honor, and I’m excited to light the tree!” Brigette said in the press release.
Brigette and an adult guardian will get an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. this December to participate in the ceremony alongside members of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and other members of the public. The date of the event has not been announced.
Here’s Brigette’s full award-winning essay:
‘Twas the month before Christmas, and all through my mind,
Swirled thoughts of my Oregon, all intertwined;
The four seasons how extraordinary, each one of a kind,
Left memories galore for my mind to rewind.
The winter how beautiful, the snow began to fall,
I quickly grabbed my mittens to make a chilly snowball.
The snowman we created, sat proudly in my yard,
He stayed there ’till he melted, a snowy frosty guard.
The raindrops how they pattered, the wind gusts how they blew,
In Oregon this is common, it makes us special through and through;
So don’t be disappointed, for rain can bring such joy,
The puddles are for jumpin’, they’re better than a toy!
In thinking of the springtime, birds began to chime,
The tulips and the daffodils, made for a colorful time.
It was time to plant my garden, the seeds went in the ground,
I watched each day as plants popped up, and roots became earthbound.
The roses oh so pretty, a painting of delight,
The picture of a rainbow, magical and bright.
A visit to the Oregon Coast, is sure to bring a smile,
Watching waves and seagulls fly up high, my sandcastle took a while.
Flying kites their tails a’soarin’, a fun sight to behold,
Especially nice upon the sand, with the ocean foamy and cold.
Hiking in the green lush forests, tall evergreens abound,
Watching wildlife, deer, and elk appear, animals all around.
Onto summer sunny days, the earth was in its glory,
Picking berries, apples, peaches and more, so sweet, like a fairy tale story.
Kayaking on our rivers was great, it really was a thrill,
Paddling to and fro with dad, water rippling, peaceful and yet still.
Time for fall, it was really here, brilliant trees ablaze,
Leaves soon fell down one by one, my eyes just loved to gaze.
Finally into the pumpkin patch, oh which one should I choose,
A tall, a round, a skinny one, once carved it would amuse.
It’s time to cut our Christmas tree, we’ve got to find the right one,
