A decade of girly-girl creations
Busy teen now in 10th year as Festival of Trees donor
By Melissa Fili
MethuenLife Writer
For 16-year-old Terrena Scannell, Christmas presents have never been about bikes or games or even toys.
“When I was younger, I loved dolls,” she laughs. “I still love girly-girl things!”
And so, for the past decade, this Methuen High junior has creatively transported her affection for dolls and “girl stuff” onto the tree she designs each year for the Festival of Trees raffle. In the process, she reveals every little girl’s fantasy — a bounty of sparkly colors; beautiful doll clothes, bouncy curls and long eyelashes; cuddly cats and soft teddy bears; and adorable faces to coo over and love.
“For me, personally, I create what I would like,” Terrena explains. “When you’re younger, what you want is a Barbie. The festival has a lot of adult trees, and I think it’s fun to have kiddie trees because that’s what I would want.”
Terrena, the daughter of Judy and Terry Scannell, first got involved with the festival back in 2000 while in third grade as her mom was a festival volunteer. She started off small and, for three consecutive years, created cute mini-trees starring Kelly dolls from the Barbie collection, lots of candy and Barbie’s friends Skipper and Kelly skiing. Terrena then expanded her creativity to full-size trees, continuing with Chloe dolls and Barbies the next couple years.
Things changed when Bratz dolls became all the rage. In 2005, Terrena came up with her “Bratz Spectacular,” which she says is her favorite tree to date.
“That year, we talked to the (Bratz) company and they realy liked my tree and gave me brand-new dolls that weren’t on toy-store shelves. I felt my tree was really cool that year,” she says. That tree featured 15-plus dolls.
The following years, the Scannell tree featured colorful ornament balls and snowflakes, a pink tree including dolls and a stuffed cat, and last year’s incredible tree trio (in silver, pink and purple) adorned with bear ornaments and graced with a giant stuffed white bear and a matching baby bear.
After 10 years, dad Terry says he can’t pick a favorite.
“I think they get better and better every year,” he smiled.
The project has evolved into a family affair, from coming up with a theme and finding the perfect decorations to trimming the tree.
“Me, my mom and dad got really into it over the years,” says Terrena, adding, “My dad would help us opening up all the boxes.”
Terrena welcomes the help. Not only is she busy with schoolwork and serving as vice president of the Junior Student Council, but she also plays on field hockey and tennis teams, performs with Methuen High’s Theater Club and takes tap, jazz and ballet at the Studio of Dance Arts.
Still, though, the Festival of Trees holds a special place in her heart.
“There’s a good spirit to it. And I love walking in there (Branch Street) and seeing all the lights,” she says.
She also likes knowing that somewhere out there, girls are happy they’ve won her tree. As her mom is supervising principal of both the Tenney and Timony schools, sometimes Terrena gets feedback on those who get to take her tree home: “One lady who won our tree gave it to her nieces because they loved the Bratz dolls, so that was nice to hear.”
For her tenth tree, Terrena is taking her “girly-girl” theme to the next level: Girls Rock!
“Just like my other trees, this year there will be A LOT of dolls,” she explains. “The theme will be girls and how girls are amazing!”
And this amazing girl intends to stick with her tree tradition.
“I’m hoping as I get older I still have time to do (a tree). I know I’ll do it as long as I possibly can. It’s fun and I love to do it,” she says.
