Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

At the start of December, 15 Cape Hatteras Secondary School clubs, teams and classes decorated trees for the community.

This was the second year for this community effort that brought decorated Christmas trees to the large foyer of the Buxton campus.

The trees boasted themes with a lighthouse, marshmallows, hand-strung popcorn garlands, and a gnome tree. The variety of designs showcased creativity and community spirit.

The trees are distributed to families through local churches and civic organizations in the coming days.

For three days, students and staff voted for favorite trees not with ballots but with loose change for the Hatteras Island Angel Gift program. On Thursday, Dec. 4, the coins were counted. The “votes” totaled an astounding $437.69 to purchase gifts for children in the Angel Tree program.

The tree winner was one decorated by the secondary school’s custodial staff with $82.81 in votes.

Runner-up was the Cape Hatteras band, which won last year. Finishing out the top five were the cross country and track teams with the Most Creative Tree Theme award, the carpentry classes for the Best Use of Wooden Lightbulbs and the middle grades Student Government Association, with the Best Use of Grinch Fur.

Here’s a rundown of more of the imaginative trees:

Sixth Grade: Best use of a picture of Mr. Gazda.

Spanish Classes: Best use of handmade paper garland.

Physical Education Department: Best use of athletic equipment.

Foods Class: Best use of Magic Crystal ornaments.

Guidance Office: Best use of dried fruit ornaments.

Math: Best use of marshmallow ornaments.

Yearbook Staff: Best use of magic.

Exceptional Children Department: Best handmade ornaments.

Front Office Staff: Best island-themed tree.

English as a Second Language Department: Best unifying theme with peace, love and happiness.

“We would like to thank everyone once again for participating in this school-wide project that will brighten the homes of many residents throughout the season, and will brighten the faces of many children on Christmas morning,” said Keith Durham, Cape Hatteras Secondary carpentry teacher.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!