ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LESLIE HAGER-SMITH
"So up to the house-top the coursers they flew.... With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas, too."
Clement C. Moore's "The Night before Christmas" was the inspiration for decorating at the White House this year, and among the myriad lights and baubles were ornaments made by Virginia Tech professors and students.
Chapters of the American Institute of Architects and Colleges of Architecture across the country were invited to submit ornaments.
To be considered for the tree, ornaments had to measure fiv e to 18 inches high and weigh no more than 12 ounces.
The White House accepted the ornaments of five Tech students and two professors.
Scott Hurst, a member of the Blue Ridge Chapter, crafted an ornament of origami paper and Bristol Board, using rich, traditional hues of the season. Fitting an 8-inch cube, Hurst's design is three-dimension so that it "reads" from all sides.
A piece designed by Michael Hedgepeth, an architect in Capital Design & Construction at Virginia Tech, also was accepted.
Tech students and their creations included: Melissa Blish, an aluminum and brass cross; David Chambers, a bronze icicle; Watkins Gray, a brass star; Alana Heagy, a stained glass lantern; Christine Keifer, a stained glass star.
The windows, rooftops, shutters and sashes of America's favorite Christmas poem prompted more than 1,000 submissions which adorn a 20-foot tree in the Blue Room of the presidential manse. Contributors were invited to view the tree at the White House on Dec. 4.
Both Hurst and Hedgepeth attended.
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: SCOTT HURST. color.by CNB