EUREKA, MO. (AP) -- For the second year in a row, a St. Louis County woman has the honor of designing and creating the ornament for Missouri's tree for the 2011 national Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C.
The Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis reports that Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky of the Eureka designed this year's ornament.
The reverse-glass painted ornament features silver stars rising up on shimmery strokes to symbolize Missouri's recovery from devastating tornadoes like the one that killed 161 people in Joplin in May. Students from a Joplin middle school are working with Ochonicky on the effort.
Ornaments for all 50 states plus U.S. territories and the District of Columbia will be featured at the display's lighting ceremony Dec. 1.
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