On Friday, December 12, beginning at 6 p.m., students from Marietta High School’s
STEM classes will be lighting up the area near their school with thousands of Christmas
lights.
The property across Highway 77 from the new middle/high school is the spot chosen for
a 14-foot mega tree that coordinates with music, along with several other lighted
displays and other wooden creations. Additionally, the MHS show choir has been asked
to prepare and perform some vocal numbers for the lighting.
“We got the idea for this display last year, and it has been a work in progress ever
since,” said STEM teacher Barbara Manley, who acquired parts of the display with
funding from a lottery grant. Additional parts were donated by the Ardmore Parks and
Recreation department.
“We have learned about software, how to program the lights, how to put circuits and
electricity together and make them work, and even our graphic design class got
involved in this project,” Manley explained. “It’s been great to see the kids work to put all
these pieces together and make a working project with them. I’m really proud of them
and am looking forward to seeing it all come together.”
There is no charge for the walk-through experience, and the public is invited to attend.
Guests are asked to park in the middle/high school parking lot and be careful crossing
the highway.
“This is something that required a lot of work and coordination, and we’re looking for it
to get bigger and better and hope to continue doing it for years to come,” said Manley.
Barring unforeseen complications, Manley expects the display to run nightly from 6 to
10 p.m. from December 12 through the first of the year.