Central Kitsap Boy, 8, Gets to Light Capitol Christmas Tree

Micah Joe was chosen from more than 3,000 Washington students for the honor.

By Chad Lewis, clewis@kitsapsun.com
November 15, 2006

Central Kitsap

Jennifer Joe was checking her e-mail last week when she noticed a subject line that said, "Congratulations ?"

Thinking it was just another sneaky e-mail ploy, she nearly deleted it. She didn’t though, and now her son, Micah, 8, will fly to Washington, D.C., next month to light the Capitol Christmas tree.

photo by Larry Steagall | Kitsap Sun. Micah's 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree ornament.
"I had to call his teacher to make sure it was for real," Joe said. "I still have a hard time believing it, actually."

This year is Washington state’s turn among the 50 states to donate the Christmas tree for Capitol Hill. The tree was provided by the Olympic National Forest in partnership with the Northwest Interpretive Association. As the Capitol Christmas tree provider, Washington state gets to send a student to light it.

Micah, a second-grader at Tracyton Elementary, was selected by Mike Gregoire, husband of Gov. Chris Gregoire, from more than 3,000 students who submitted Christmas ornaments for the tree. His mother barely remembers signing the parental waiver that was randomly selected for the honor. (Read More)