For Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky, of the Eureka area, lightning struck twice.

She's designed and created the ornament for Missouri's tree for the 2011 National Christmas Tree display in President's Park in Washington, D.C.

And she did the same thing last year.

Ornaments from all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia will be featured at the display's lighting ceremony on Dec. 1, which Ochonicky will attend.

She worked with students from East Middle School in Joplin to replicate her design for Missouri's 2011 ornament. For last year's ornament, the governor chose Hazelwood West Middle School to replicate her ornament.

The National Parks Foundation asks each governor to select a professional artist from the state to design that state's annual ornament.

"Around the national Christmas tree, each state and territory and D.C. also has its own tree, and that tree is covered entirely with ornaments of a single design."

The students serve as artist's assistants to replicate the design and make 23 more of the ornaments to cover the state tree, she said.

"My original ornament will be in the White House visitors center on the Christmas tree there, as it did last year," she said. "And a copy will also hang in the Missouri state capital."

Ochonicky's ornaments are reverse-glass painted — painted in reverse from the inside of the spheres. The sphere is separated into a bottom and top for the painting and then put together.

The word "Missouri" rings the top of each of this year's ornament. And "2011" is painted at the bottom of each sphere, with silver stars rising up on shimmery strokes to symbolize Missouri's recovery from the tornados. Holiday traditions are represented by a pine bough and pine cone on one side and a lighted candle and wrapped gift on the other side. It's all set against a background of purple and blue, representing the winter sky.

Ochonicky recently talked about her art, the ornaments and Christmas.

QUESTION: How'd you get started creating ornaments?

ANSWER: Last year, out of the blue, the governor's office called and asked if I'd be interested in doing the state ornament. A few days later, they called back to say they made a decision, and "it's you." I guess that call was my interview and I didn't know it. This year when his office called, they wanted me to work with a school in Joplin in light of the tornado. They asked if I would mind commuting to Joplin to design the ornament and have it replicated. I said it would be an honor. It was so heartwarming to work with those kids.

Q: How did you get the idea for the designs both this year and last?

A: Each year, the National Parks Foundation sets an ornament theme. Last year, the theme was "winter conditions in your state." So I used Missouri symbols like the eastern bluebird and designed a wintery snow globe look. This year, the theme was 'symbolize holiday traditions." So I tried to be as inclusive as possible to represent as many different celebrations of the holiday season as I could. The ornament also has to fit in the case the National Park Service provides, so it has be a large sphere, with an eight-inch diameter at the widest point.

Q: What was the most challenging part of doing the ornaments?

A: It has to be a design the kids can replicate. It's a personal goal of mine to be as inclusive as possible. So, for example, with this year's project, there were 157 students all told, and every one had a hand in the ornament. Once I did the design, I broke it into steps so each child was assigned a certain part, whether it was outlining, painting, lettering, assembly, whatever. Last year, I specifically designed a portion of the ornament that I knew children with special needs could do, because I wanted all those at Hazelwood West Middle to be able to participate.

While in the past, the school has supplied some art materials, that was difficult this year because of the disaster in Joplin. Because of that, I solicited Dick Blick Art Materials, which has a store on Delmar in St. Louis, who generously donated all the paint this year. The biggest challenge for this year was coming up with a design and manner of making the ornament that could be done in a condensed amount of time because of the distance I am from Joplin. I wanted us to be able to do it all in one trip.

Q: What's your favorite Christmas movie?

A: I love the artwork of the "Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton, the costuming and the color. I love that movie. Otherwise, I truly like "A Christmas Story" because it just rings so true of my era of growing up.

Q: How'd you get the nickname Mike?

A: I think my parents wanted a boy. They called me Mike from the beginning. The only time they called me Michelle was when I was in a lot of trouble.

Q: After the display, do you get to keep an ornament?

A: No. The ornaments are retained and stored in the Smithsonian Institute for any future use. I'm just glad I get a ticket to attend the ceremony, though they don't pay for the trip out there.

Q: Besides ornaments, what do you hang on your own tree?

A: Almost all of my tree's ornaments are handmade by various artists or me or family members, not your typical ornaments, but unusual artwork. Other than that, we have just lots of white lights.

Q: Is Christmas your favorite holiday? Why?

A: Christmas and Halloween, which is why I like Tim Burton's movie. I like the Christmas decorations and winter temperatures. It's a beautiful holiday for religious reasons as well.

Q: Are you already thinking of a 2012 ornament design, in case you're picked?

A: No. Will lighting strike three times? I'd be shocked, because I never expected it twice.