Student Wins Trip To Washington DC

Sonora, CA — Johnny Crawford of Sonora was selected to turn on the Christmas tree lights at the U.S. Capitol ceremony.

This afternoon Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools, Joe Silva, randomly selected number 286. According to the spread sheet of 717 entrants, that was the seven-year-old resident of Sonora. Students from across the state were invited to enter their name in the drawing. His mother, Lisa Crawford, home schools her children and was notified by phone.

The Speaker of the House, John Boehner, will host the lighting ceremony on the lawn of the United States Capitol Building. Crawford will flip the switch on the 60 foot tall tree that will illuminate 10,000 LED lights. Known as “The People’s Tree,” the last time one from our area was chosen was in 1995. This year’s tree will come from Tuolumne County, in an area of the Stanislaus National Forest.

Stanislaus US Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski is coordinating fundraising efforts to pay for the hotel and airfare on December 9th for Johnny and a parent. For a previous article see US Capitol Christmas Tree Donations Are Needed.