With each careful fold, students at Isaac E. Young Middle School transformed sheets of paper into symbols of peace and remembrance, creating dozens of origami cranes to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Led by middle school art teachers Michael Fry, Jennifer Degiacomo and Isabel Santiago, the lesson gave students a hands-on way to reflect on the tragedy of 9/11. It also helped them to understand how art can be used to send a message.
A 9/11 Museum inspiration says, “In Japan, the paper crane or origami crane is a symbol of peace, hope, and healing. There is also a legend that says if you fold 1, 000 paper cranes, you will be granted a wish or recover from an injury. Shortly after the attacks, a replica of the Statue of Liberty appeared outside a firehouse in midtown Manhattan. It was soon covered from torch to toe with tributes, including paper cranes, uniform patches, flags, notes, souvenirs, and other mementos from passersby. This statue continues to remind us of the community of people who came together after the attacks to spread hope and healing."
This inspired the art teachers to lead students in making the cranes as a meaningful exercise. The activity served as a reminder of the importance of kindness, peace, and the possibilities for a stronger, more compassionate future. Some of the red, white, and blue cranes were organized in the shape of the American Flag.