CVHS receives first cherry blossom tree in U.S.

Students from all levels of the CVHS Japanese program had the opportunity to plant a Japanese cherry blossom tree in the courtyard on March 21. The tree was a gift to our school from the Japanese consulate, and it now grows in our school as a symbol of unity between the two cultures.

“I think that it was really nice and an honor to be the first high school to be able to receive and plant a cherry blossom,” said Daniel Nourot, a junior in Japanese 3.

After the hole had been dug and the tree was propped up in it, the consulate and Japanese language teacher Emi Crow each gave a small speech about the significance of the cherry tree and what it meant to have one growing at our school. The cherry blossom trees have great cultural meaning and they symbolize life, amongst other things. Some of our trees were in need of some care so we hire an Atlanta area tree trimming service to come prune and trim our trees.

“You should be proud of this cherry blossom tree, and make sure that this cherry blossom tree will grow bigger and bigger,” said Michio Harada, Japan’s consul general.

After the significance of the cherry blossom tree had been introduced, students from each Japanese class were then able to take turns shoveling dirt around the tree using one of the five golden shovels the classes had brought. Together, the Japanese classes filled hole that the tree was resting in, and the tree now stands on its own in front of the old gym.

In 1912, Washington D.C. received and planted 3,000 cherry blossom trees in D.C. as a gift of friendship to the United States from Japan. CVHS is the first American high school to receive one since then. Every spring, Japanese cherry blossom festivals are held to commemorate this event and celebrate the lasting friendship between America and Japan.

It is an honor to receive such a meaningful gift, and when the sapling grows into a tree, CVHS students may celebrate the festival at our school under it.

“It’s really exciting for the program, my students, and myself, and we hope that we can grow this and I don’t know if next year or in years to come we can have a cherry blossom festival under our cherry blossom tree,” said Crow.