Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
STUDENTS DISPLAY lights for the "Spirit Tree" at the Hurley K-12 School on Monday. The Hurley PTO is sponsoring the tree, allowing people to purchase white or orange lights in memory of someone or in celebration of something. Pictured are, first row, second grader Brayden Ciatti, second grader Trinity Pearson and third grader Julia Sokol; second row, fifth graders Kylie Hewitt, Jaxon Sokol and Donovan Cole.
HURLEY - With Christmas soon upon us, the Hurley PTO decided to use a classic holiday tradition in a new way.
Instead of lighting a tree just for the holidays, the PTO is lighting a "Spirit Tree" in celebration or in memory of students, staff, alumni and the community of the Hurley K-12 School.
"My co-president, Krissy Colassaco, really likes the Tree of Love tradition," Jerri Sokol, PTO co-president, said. "In the spirit of that, we decided to do this, to celebrate the spirit of Hurley."
Individuals can purchase individual lights, either white or orange to be placed on the tree. The white is in memory of someone, and the orange symbolizes a celebration of something.
Proceeds from the event benefit the PTO.
The goal is to sell 200 lights, and the PTO is also purchasing a light for every student in the district.
"We're pretty close to our goal," Sokol said. "Last time I checked, we had about 160 lights sold, which is awesome."
Lights must be purchased by Dec. 1, and forms are available at the Hurley K-12 School. All lights will be placed on the tree for a lighting ceremony on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the school.
"The high school band is going to be there, Silver Express will sing and there will be hot chocolate and cookies," Sokol said. "Anybody is welcome to attend."
A list of names will be on display inside the school and the tree will remain lit throughout the holiday season.
The goal is to continue the event into the future, helping to celebrate the Hurley School District.
"We would love to do this every year, and build it up," Sokol said. "People really seem to like this."
For more information, or to purchase lights, call the Hurley K-12 School at 715-561-4900, Jerri Sokol at 715-862-0824 or Krissy Colassaco at 715-562-0038.
