Life does come full circle. Dan Ostarello a 2008 SCHS graduate, happened upon the Stanley County 3rd grade students’ Christmas ornaments while on active duty in Washington, DC. Mrs. Maher’s third grade class was invited to create ornaments representing South Dakota for the National Christmas Tree Celebration in Washington, DC. Students created ornaments celebrating the animals that live in our state’s beautiful hills, plains, and waterways. Since we are the “Stanley County Buffaloes” the students started reading an excerpt from the book “Roy Houck: Buffalo Man” to consider the traits that make this animal a good mascot for our school and a legendary South Dakota animal. Students then read about and explored the art of Oscar Howe, a Yanktonai Dakota artist and South Dakota artist laureate. The students’ art on the ornaments is inspired by the natural subjects, bright colors, movement, and sharp lines in Howe’s paintings.
Mrs. Maher and the 3rd graders wish to thank Mr. Ostarello for sending the photo. They are thrilled to know that someone from South Dakota viewed their ornaments on location.