Staff Writer
WASHINGTON – On a brisk December night, the First Family joined hundreds of people to officially light the 2015 National Christmas Tree Thursday on the White House Ellipse.
The ceremony was hosted by Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon and featured performances from musical trio David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash; Fall Out Boy, Aloe Blacc, Scandal’s Bellamy Young, Kelsea Ballerini, Tori Kelly, Trombone Shorty, the Joyous String Ensemble, the United States Coast Guard Band, as well as San Diegan Andra Day, who attended the School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in where she majored in singing. She has been featured in a number of videos that aired on CBSnews.com, Vans.com, and GlobalGrind.com, among others. On October 5, 2012, Day released a cover of Jessie J’s “Mamma Knows Best” that peaked at #2 on the YouTube Music Charts and #24 that resulted in her signing to Warner Bros. Records. Her debut album, Cheers To The Fall, was released on August 28, 2015.
There was also a special appearance by Miss Piggy.
The oldest full-time park ranger, 94-year-old Betty Reid Soskin, introduced President Obama. Soskin works five days a week at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif.
“Merry Christmas everybody, and Thank you, Betty, for that introduction, for your extraordinary service as one of our park rangers, and for all of your –- and your great-grandmother’s -– contributions to this country, “Obama said. “I want tips from Betty on how I can look that good at 94.”
After leading the crowd in a countdown, the president, First Lady Michelle Obama, their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, took the stage to light the tree at the 93rd annual National Christmas Tree Lighting.
“So on behalf of Michelle, and Malia, and Sasha, and Grandma, and Bo and Sunny (the family’s dogs), happy holiday to all of you,” Obama said.
