Screenshot U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin speaks by phone with Beverly Elementary student Ethan Reese.

BEVERLY — A Beverly Elementary School student has won the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest.

The essay of Ethan Reese, a Beverly fourth-grader, was chosen the winner out of more than 400 entries from across the state, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. D-W.Va., announced.

“Ethan will join us in D.C. this holiday season to officially light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be from West Virginia’s beautiful Monongahela National Forest,” Manchin said.

“The celebration will showcase not only our remarkable forestry, but also our strong community spirit. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and shared with me what our Wild and Wonderful home means to you. I can’t wait to celebrate with Ethan, our fellow West Virginians and our fellow Americans.”

Ethan will travel to Washington, D.C. this holiday season to take part in the official tree-lighting ceremony, alongside members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the public.

For this year’s essay contest, fourth-grade students were invited to describe in 500 words why they love West Virginia’s forests and public lands, incorporating the theme of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree: “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful.”

Manchin selected Ethan to receive a once-in-a-lifetime all-expenses paid trip for him and one guardian to travel to Washington, D.C., to take part in the official tree-lighting ceremony. Ethan will also be invited to attend several other festivities during his visit, at a date to be determined in late November or early December.

The Capitol Christmas Tree — known as “The People’s Tree” — lights up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season.

The tree is selected from a different national forest each year, a tradition that began in 1970 when Monongahela National Forest provided the first tree on behalf of the Forest Service. Monongahela National Forest also provided the tree in 1976.

This year, the tree will be harvested in Randolph County from the Greenbrier Ranger District and will travel around West Virginia throughout November before heading to Washington.

The tree will visit Elkins on Saturday, Nov. 4, an event that will feature a parade, live music and activities for children.