Williamsburg City School (WIS) agriculture teacher Toraleah Shelley recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime experience of decorating the White House, after being selected as one of 145 volunteers nationwide.
Shelley was selected from over 12,000 applicants, with volunteers coming from 47 different states.
The White House Christmas theme this year was “Home is Where the Heart is.”
Shelley decided to decorate during the first part of Thanksgiving week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), which lined up with WIS’s fall break.
Shelley flew out of Knoxville on Sunday. On the first night in the hotel, she met five volunteers from different states, including Delaware, Indiana, and Ohio.
“There was one lady who had done it before in 2020,” said Shelley. “She was telling her tidbits and knowledge.”
Shelley filled out paperwork, got a bag and an apron, and then spent the next two days working in an off-site warehouse.
She explained that volunteers were split into groups based on which room they would decorate.
“I was actually in the foyer with Team Jingle,” said Shelley. “My group had a lot of florists in it.”
Shelley said the foyer mostly got new supplies, but they also reused some neatly organized older decorations.
Her group of 17 spent the first day unpacking and preparing decorations, like wiring ornaments and spray-painting flowers.
“The amount of detail that they put in was wild,” said Shelley. “All 17 of us worked our butts off. It was a great group of people.”
Shelley said another group worked with Legos, making Lego portraits of Donald Trump and George Washington, saying it was really neat.
On Wednesday, Shelley finally stepped into the White House for the first time.
“I feel like that was one of the most magical parts at first, was just getting to step foot inside,” said Shelley.
One of Shelley’s most powerful moments came while volunteering to pack boxes near the South Lawn.
“That was just a really cool experience,” said Shelley. “You could see the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the fountain, and this really magnificent view. So that was my second, ‘Oh my Gosh, this is crazy’ moment.”
About 45 minutes later, she experienced another powerful moment with packing boxes. Shelley walked through the West Wing.
“I got to walk down the presidential Hall of Fame next to the Rose Garden,” said Shelley, explaining she also saw the door to the Oval Office.
That evening, she received cookies and apple cider, which she explained was the best apple cider she’s ever had, and received a private tour.
Shelley came home for a short time on Thursday and jumped right back into work, decorating in the dark at her business, Shelley Ridge Farms, since they were opening the next day. On Sunday, she returned to the White House for a Christmas appreciation party on December 1, bringing her family along.
“It was like 30 degrees and freezing cold, but it was worth it,” said Shelley.
Shelley said military personnel in uniform opened doors for them and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
“The Marine Band was playing Christmas music,” said Shelley. “They were offering champagne, drinks, and just whatever you wanted. They were waiting on us hand and foot, and it just really felt like we were special.”
Shelley got to listen to First Lady Melania Trump give a short speech.
“She was very elegant, very poised, very controlled,” said Shelley. “You could just tell she had this calm, powerful demeanor to her. She spoke very beautifully.”
About 45 minutes later, another volunteer told Shelley she could message a White House staff member to try to arrange a tour for her husband and son. It’s usually hard to make this happen, but it worked out for them.
Shelley said they were soaked from the rain and not really prepared for a tour, but they went anyway.
“It was really cool to see,” said Shelley. “My son got to see the 300-pound gingerbread house replica of the White House that they said had like 60-80 pounds of icing on it. I didn’t realize the gingerbread house was that big of a deal, but it’s like a big tradition.”
After that, they headed back home.
Shelley felt proud to represent southeastern Kentucky and said she got a lot of support both in person and on social media. Her students looked up to her and saw her as someone who could accomplish anything.
“It was really meaningful,” said Shelley. “[My students] had so many questions. They were really happy for me.”
“It’s not often that you see someone from our little town recognized or getting to do something on a nationwide scale,” Shelley added.
Shelley Ridge Farms, her business, is still hosting its Christmas in the Country light show every weekend until Christmas. The farm also has Santa visits, a petting zoo, and Christmas-themed photo spots. Shelley wanted readers to know that the last day is Dec. 23.
The farm is also running holiday giveaways on its Facebook page. The next winner will be announced at 11 p.m. on Monday, the 15th, so there’s still time to enter. Three winners will each get free car admission to the Christmas in the Country light show.
For more information, visit the Shelley Ridge Farms Facebook page or contact Shelley directly at (606) 344-0907.
Shelley ended by giving credit for her success to her family and community.
“I thank God because I’m so blessed with my family and community that support me and make sure that I’m able to do these opportunities,” said Shelley.
