Imani Page's faith that she can do anything led her to the Neiman Marcus "Build a Tree" Contest.
Though the second-grader at St. Anne School didn't win first place — she was one of six finalists — she has another shot through an online public opinion poll that ends Christmas Eve. (Visit
www.neimanmarcus.com and enter "tree contest" in the search box.) "Imani's Faith," a tree that shows children at play among the clouds, will be among those featured on the Neiman Marcus Holiday Tree Special scheduled to air on HGTV at 8 p.m. today, Dec. 14.
The competition benefits Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and St. Philip's School in Dallas, Texas. Patients and students, ages 7 to 9, from these institutions are eligible to participate.
Imani, a former Dallas resident who moved to Lancaster with her family this year, was born with a tiny left hand. She and her family call the barely visible fingernails at the end of her forearm her "little hand."
She has been a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital since she was 6 months old. Imani returns to Dallas twice a year for prosthetic hands as she grows. However, Imani prefers not to use a prosthesis unless she feels uncomfortable in a new situation, said her mother, Jeresther Page.
Going to Dallas for the unveiling of a full-sized reproduction of her tree, and those of other finalists, was not such a situation.
Imani, her family and her "Just Like Me" doll (custom-made with a "little hand") received red-carpet treatment including a limousine ride for the event.
All because of a coloring assignment.
Contestants were asked, "If you could have a fantasy Christmas tree, what would it look like and why?"
Imani drew a tree filled with children at play in clouds. They are doing "all the things I love to do with my little hand, like dancing and monkey bars," Imani said.
"There is nothing as creative as a child's imagination, and tapping into the fantasies of these children has been a gift to each of us," said Shelle Sills, vice president and general manager of Neiman Marcus Downtown, in Dallas. "Each of the approximately 60 entries were amazing in their thoughtfulness, whimsy and hopeful spirit."
Imani's tree is topped with a princess "sitting on the moon with one little hand like mine, and a star," Imani said. That's her favorite part of the tree.
Some clouds have two children — one white, one black — engaged in play.
"That's to show that anybody, any color, can do anything, even if they are white or brown," Imani explained.
The phrase "I can do anything" is spelled out in her design. It's also clear from the children at play.
The soft-spoken yet confident 7-year-old explained, "Sometimes people think I can't do everything ... but I can."
St. Anne School students and faculty are excited about Imani's success. The best part is that her tree theme reflects her can-do spirit, said Principal Chris Kennedy.
"We're so very proud of her," he said.
Artists reproduced the six finalist entries as full-sized Christmas trees, which are displayed in Neiman Marcus' store windows in Dallas. The winner was "The Clean Tree," designed by a 9-year-old Dallas boy.
A silent auction for the fantasy trees will be held Christmas Eve.
Until then, Imani's schoolmates, friends and family will be voting online for her tree.
Imani's spirit inspired her fantasy tree. Her hand was inspired, too, said her mom.
"It was by design," she said, smiling.
Jeannette Scott is a Sunday News staff writer. Contact her at jscott@lnpnews.com or at 291-8689. 
