Students Win Trees From Chanté Project

Holiday cheer was in the air at Poplar Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 10, when the Chanté program held a drawing for Christmas tree giveaways.

There were seven trees presented to the lucky students who had their names picked by official drawer Hidyn Hoke.

“It was my idea for making seven people’s lives merrier,” said Molly Redpath, Poplar coordinator for Chanté.

In addition, each winner received a $50 Visa gift card donated by the Chanté program.

“The purpose is so they can put presents under their tree,” Redpath said.

Redpath donated the first tree and then asked middle school teachers to consider also donating a decorated tree. Tribal elves donated two of the seven trees. Teachers donating or decorating trees included Linda McCabe, Sheryl Kohl, Mariah Dimas, Melanie Ferguson, Kelly Scarr and Martha Watts.

Students who had their names drawn were Jerome Hilliard, Sage Guilez, Zoey Summers, Travis Pribbernow, Ryan Youngman, Vosie Kirn and Quintana Young. Each Poplar Middle School students got the opportunity to put a ticket in one of the seven containers based on which tree they liked the best.

“We’re hoping to start a tree decorating contest every year from now on,” Redpath said. “Hopefully, it will continue, no doubt.”

She explained the goal of Chanté’s restorative justice program for grades 5-8 is making things positive and to give back to others.

Redpath said that Chanté is a Native word meaning “heart.” “Put your heart in everything you do,” she said.