KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — In celebration of Christmas and the upcoming 99th anniversary of the Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School, the administration spent NT$70,000 on a Christmas tree designed by an alumna, sparking debate over its cost and design.
The Christmas tree stands proudly in the school's passageway, where students jest about their daily encounter with such an expensive holiday piece while simultaneously questioning the school's expenditure.
Themed in "Kaohsiung Girls' Red," the tree's design transitions from the school's signature burgundy at the base to festive Christmas red, ending in a joyful pink at the top — symbolizing the students' diligent and gentle virtues and providing blessings for the school's centennial next year.
Responding to the critiques, the high school explained that the tree was designed by an alumna free of charge, as the NT$70,000 covered only the essential materials and decoration costs. This reflects the goodwill of the designer and creators involved, the school added.
Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School Principal Cheng Wen-yi addressed the controversy by explaining that the area where the tree is placed often experiences strong winds, which previously led to trees being knocked over.
Consequently, the expenses included structural reinforcements such as wooden boards.
Cheng emphasized that the Christmas tree represents the alumni's loving contributions and expressed hope for students to learn to look beyond the surface of the situation.