MSC Southeast Students build Christmas tree to light up downtown Winona

Winona Post: Southeast students building Christmas tree for downtown

By Chris Rogers, October 8, 2021

Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones busy in the workshop this fall. Minnesota State College Southeast (MSC Southeast) students are helping light up downtown Winona this winter by fabricating a huge, artificial Christmas tree that will be displayed on Third Street. The tree consists of a large metal frame that will be festooned with garlands and lights. 

The Winona Main Street Program commissioned the tree for its Light Up Downtown program, and in a big team effort CNC machining students made parts for the tree, welding students put in 40-50 hours of work constructing it, auto body students will spruce it up with an evergreen paint job, and pupils in MSC Southeast’s truck driving program will deliver it to downtown in time for a November 18 lighting ceremony. 

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Winona Daily News: Winona Main Street Program, MSC Southeast team up to light up downtown Winona for the holidays

By Rachel Mergen, October 8, 2021

The Winona Main Street Program has teamed up with Minnesota State College Southeast to help make downtown a bit more festive for the upcoming holidays...The organization wanted a giant panel Christmas tree for the city to use for many upcoming years

... Originally, the idea was to fundraise for the tree, but then it was decided to mention to MSCSE the opportunity of building one. 

Welding instructor Casey Mann was happy to get on board when he heard the idea. Mann remembered his initial reaction when he was told about the idea: "I said sure thing we'll do anything to help out the community."

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