By Monty Siekerman
Village officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday at the school, giving all third graders a Picea abies.

What's a Picea abies? Ask a third grader, they'll know.

LOTS MORE PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STORY -

The grade schoolers have been studying trees and know that's the name of a Norway spruce, and many other facts about trees, such as when did Arbor Day begin, what value are trees, and more.

Students also drew a tree. Winning the art contest were:
• Lilah Carter, first
• Peyton Karsten, second
• Kaylee Watson, third
• Lanen Ulrey, fourth

Mayor Dave Retterer gave books about trees to the winners.

Tree commission members displayed the flag designating Ada a Tree City USA, something the village has qualified for every year for more than three decades.

Also, Commissioner Terry Keiser displayed the Tree Campus USA flag, something ONU has won since the award was first handed out.

Angela Polachek, assistant village administrator, described what it means to be a Tree City USA, and Village Administrator Jamie Hall told the grade schoolers how to plant their Norway spruce.

Tom Kier, Ada Kiwanis Club president, presented a $500 check to Don Traxler, commission chairman, to support the village tree program.

There is some tree planting to be done once the children arrive home from school today.