photo gallery of guests photo gallery of decorations

Education is a top priority for Governor Granholm and this project combines student learning, expression and accomplishment. The schools selected represent Michigan's geographic and demographic diversity. Each piece of art showcases a student's creativity and interpretation of a specific style of learning. The Michigan Department of Education provided sample activities and curriculum plans to 50 schools that accepted the invitation to participate in the project. The sample activities contained benchmarks in the arts and other core subjects for each grade level and served as springboards for teachers to create learning activities that corresponded with the theme.

Pieces are hung on a Michigan concolor fir tree donated by Wamhoff Tree Farm, on garland throughout the residence, a large wreath over the mantel and on the Ceremonial Office tree. 3-D art is displayed throughout the Residence and in the Ceremonial Office. The student artists range from kindergarten to high school age students.

A warm thank you to all schools who submitted the unique and special Holiday Decorations:

- Agnes Beer Middle School, Warren Consolidated Schools
- Almont Elementary School, Almont Community Schools
- Andrews Elementary, Three Rivers Community Schools
- Belding High School, Belding Area School District
- Benzie Central Middle School, Benzie Central Community Schools
- Central Montcalm Middle School, Central Montcalm Public Schools
- Cesar Chavez Academy Middle School, Detroit
- Charles F. Kettering High, Detroit Public Schools
- Charlotte High School, Charlotte Public Schools
- Clare Middle School, Clare Public School
- Concord Academy Antrim, Mancelona
- Coopersville High School, Coopersville Area Public Schools
- Detroit High School, Detroit Public Schools
- East Essex Elementary School, St. Johns Public Schools
- Fancher Elementary, Mount Pleasant Public Schools
- Fenton High School, Fenton Area Public Schools
- Gilbert Elementary School, Gwinn Area Community Schools
- Gudith Elementary School, Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools
- Hanover-Horton Elementary, Hanover-Horton Public Schools
- Henry Ford Academy of Community and Performing Arts, Highland Park Public Schools
- Immanuel/St. James Lutheran Elementary School, Grand Rapids Parochial Schools
- Indian Woods Elementary School, Port Huron Area School District
- International Academy of Flint
- K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, Gwinn Area Community Schools
- Lockwood Elementary School, Eaton Rapids Public Schools
- Mancelona Middle School, Mancelona Public School District
- Mesick Middle School, Mesick Consolidated Schools
- Michigan School for the Deaf, Genesee Intermediate School District
- Minges Brook Elementary School, Lakeview School District
- Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy, Hannahville
- Neil Reid High School, Macomb Intermediate School District
- New Lothrop Elementary, New Lothrop Public Schools
- Parchment Middle School, Parchment School District
- Reeths-Puffer Intermediate School, Reeths-Puffer Schools
- Riverside Elementary School, Constantine School District
- St. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School, Grand Rapids Parochial Schools
- Sacred Heart of Jesus School, Grand Rapids Parochial Schools
- Sault Area Middle School, Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools
- Sparlingville Elemenatry School, Port Huron Schools
- Star Elementary School, Hastings Area Schools
- T. L. Handy Middle School, Bay City Public Schools
- The Da Vinci Institute, Jackson
- Thorne Elementary School, Westwood Community School District
- Tustin Elementary School, Pine River Area Schools
- Union Street Elementary School, Eaton Rapids Public School District
- Walled Lake Elementary School, Walled Lake Consolidated School District
- Washtenaw Technical Middle College, Michigan Charter High School
- Western High School, Western School District
- Wilson Elementary School, Alpena Public Schools
- YMCA Service Learning Academy, Detroit

Choirs and musical ensembles from the following schools performed as part of the Michigan - Land of Winter Wonder program:

- Davison High School, Davison
- L'Anse Creuse High School, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools
- Lahser High School, Bloomfield Hills Schools
- Luther L. Wright High School, Ironwood Area Schools
- Redford Union High School, Redford Union Schools

The art submitted includes: homemade garland, large snowflakes, wire figures playing in the snow, ceramic ornaments, painted goose eggs, drawings, paintings, snow scenes, pillow ornaments, beaded moccasins, and many more. Each item is unique and wonderfully crafted.

Participating schools were invited to visit the Governor's Residence and look at the decorations during a special open house. 27 schools were able to make the field trip.

Student participants were asked to complete a form telling us their name, grade, and school and explain what they learned while working on the "Michigan: A Land of Winter Wonder" project.

We encourage you to take a look at what each student took from this project. History, woodworking, painting, sewing, ornament making, and weaving were all new skills that Michigan's students were able to acquire through this project.