WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.000 music 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:16.000 sirens 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:46.000 music 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:54.000 sirens 00:00:54.000 --> 00:04:72.000 music 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:57.000 sirens 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:18.000 music 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:26.000 We want to thank you for joining us tonight as we celebrate the holiday season with the traditional lighting of our tree. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:29.000 This year's theme is light up the night. 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:36.000 In just a few minutes we will truly light up the night with our 100 foot sequoia tree across the street. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:45.000 Western Oregon University welcomes you all to our campus tonight, our community members, students, faculty, and staff. 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:51.000 This is a time to celebrate the season and to give thanks for family, friends, and supportive communities. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:54.000 It's also the time for giving. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:60.000 I encourage you to remember those less fortunate than yourselves with care and compassion 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:05.000 and to give any time and energy you have to help those in need. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:09.000 We are honored to have the president of Independence City Council Nancy Lodge 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:14.000 and the mayor of Monmouth John Oberst here tonight to give you their greetings. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:17.000 First, Nancy Lodge. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:25.000 Merry Christmas everybody. Representing the mayor of Independence I'm Nancy Lodge. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.000 And I'm excited about being here and watching this neat parade. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:38.000 And talking about parades tomorrow night at five o'clock there will be a parade in Independence. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.000 It'll start right across from the high school Central High 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:46.000 and then go all the way downtown. And there's a little open house downtown 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:52.000 with cookies and chocolate and cider and stuff. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:56.000 So if you have time please watch the parade. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:60.000 And also before that there's a Santa Train coming in. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.000 I'm sure most of you have heard about the Santa Train. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.000 This is the sixth or seventh year we've had it. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:12.000 And we get like eight, nine, a thousand children come to watch Santa coming in. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:17.000 And he always comes in from the North which is really a good idea. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:22.000 Or probably he should be coming in from the South since he's probably on vacation now. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:29.000 Anyway Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy Holiday and everybody enjoy themselves. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:37.000 Now I'll introduce our mayor from Monmouth your mayor from Monmouth John Oberst. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.000 applause 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:48.000 Good evening everyone. This will mark my tenth year of welcoming everyone to the tree lighting. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:54.000 This will be my last time around. I'm stepping down as mayor this year. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:58.000 How many of you are here for your first time at this tree lighting? 00:08:59.000 --> 00:08:63.000 Oh come on I can't hear you. How many are here for the first time? 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:05.000 Alright that's better. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:08.000 How many are returnees? 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:10.000 cheering 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:14.000 Alright. How many folks not from Monmouth? 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:16.000 cheering 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:18.000 How many Monmouth residents? 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:20.000 cheering 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:25.000 And I love seeing this tradition continue year after year. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:32.000 It's one of those civic events that brings people together from this city and others obviously. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:35.000 It's a special time of year. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:42.000 This tree always seems to me like a beacon that draws us into town this time of year once it's on. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:47.000 So enjoy yourselves tonight. We'll be hearing soon from the contest winner. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:51.000 And shortly after that we'll light the tree. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:56.000 So Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays. Thanks a lot. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:58.000 cheering 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:65.000 Every year the Student Activities Board of Western Oregon University invites students from Ash Creek Elementary, 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:08.000 Monmouth Elementary, and Independence Elementary schools 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:12.000 to participate in a coloring contest and an essay contest. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:15.000 We want to thank all the students who participated this year 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:22.000 and this evening we would like to recognize and congratulate the top winners of the coloring contest from each grade. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:28.000 If you're here when I call your name please come forward to be recognized. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:33.000 Beginning with kindergarten we have Kya Cooper from Ash Creek Elementary School. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:35.000 cheering 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:36.000 Is Kya here? 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.000 Here we go. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.000 Here we go. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:47.000 The top picture in the first grade belongs to Violet Johnston from Monmouth Elementary School. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:50.000 Is Violet here? Let's give Violet a round of applause. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:53.000 cheering 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:58.000 And finally the top picture for the second grade Zoe Becker from Monmouth Elementary school. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:60.000 Is Zoe here? 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:02.000 cheering 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:07.000 OK a round of applause for Zoe as well and also another round of applause for Kya 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:12.000 who is standing here bravely with all of us. Thank you. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.000 A number of beautiful pictures are on display in the Werner Center. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:22.000 Please stop by and have these wonderful works be seen by the students and their parents. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:26.000 At this time we will now introduce the winners of the essay contest. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:32.000 This year's students were asked, if you were president of the United States for one day what would you do? 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:38.000 The following winners were the top three over all amongst third through fifth graders. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:42.000 And interestingly all of this year's winners are fifth graders. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:46.000 Again I ask you to please step forward as your name is called 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:52.000 beginning with in third place Ainsley Newell from Independence Elementary School. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:57.000 applause 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:60.000 Good job Ainsley, congratulations. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:03.000 Way to go. Good job. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:11.000 In second place we have Phoebe Jones from Monmouth Elementary. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:17.000 cheering 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:24.000 Good job, congratulations. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:30.000 And now I would like to introduce the winner of the essay contest 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:35.000 and she will have the honor of reading her essay and the privilege of lighting the tree later on. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:39.000 McKenna Cannon from Monmouth Elementary School. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:46.000 This is McKenna's second year in a row to win the essay contest, congratulations McKenna. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:48.000 Good job, congratulations. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:52.000 If I were elected president of the United States for one day 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:60.000 I would do my best to travel the country and make sure that they have good food, clean water, and clothes. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:07.000 I'd also try to make unity. I'd help animals in need, give as many as I can homes, and maybe keep a few for myself. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:12.000 I'd raise funds to help doctors find cures for medical mysteries. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:16.000 I'd like to mention my cousin Brayden that has leukemia 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:22.000 and all of the other people in the world that need medication or treatment. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:27.000 I'd like to let them know I have their backs and I won't let them fall down. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:35.000 I'd do a fundraiser to raise money for schools in need and I'd use that money to buy notebooks, books, and pencils, and art supplies. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:41.000 I'd buy tools that would help the teachers teach. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:50.000 While I'm talking about teachers I'd also like to give a shoutout to Mr. Kreta my wonderful teacher 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:55.000 and how he has helped me with gazillions of things. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:61.000 After a hard day of work I'd take a snooze on my very comfortable presidential bed. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:05.000 Give it up for McKenna. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:09.000 cheering 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:11.000 Are you ready McKenna? 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:17.000 Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:23.000 five, four, three, two, one. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:26.000 Lights on. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:66.000 music 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:13.000 We want to thank you once again for attending the 49th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Western Oregon University. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.000 Goodnight and Happy Holidays. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:30.000 music