First published in the May 26 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
Photos by Chris Sutton
Outlook Valley Sun
Under the direction of art teacher Ashley Tearston, Paradise Canyon Elementary School students recently combined history and cultural lessons with their annual school-wide art project.
The school was inspired by the story of Sadako Sasak in Japan, who was one of many children who passed away from the effects of radiation after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. While in the hospital, she began folding 1,000 origami cranes, as it was said the person folding them would be granted good fortune and a wish.
In Japan, cranes are a symbol of harmony and strength and are believed to live 1,000 years. Kinder through 4th-grade students made colored designs on their paper, and the 5th- and 6th-graders did block printing on theirs. Everyone learned the art of origami.
Tearston strung the beautiful cranes and will ship them to the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, where they will be displayed.
