Francis Wyman Students Fold 1000 Cranes; Make One Wish for Japan

“It’s an old legend,” fifth-grader Quentin Inglis of the student council at explained. “If you make 1000 paper cranes, you get one wish.”

The crane is one of the Japanese holy creatures, and it is said to live for a thousand years. The Japanese art of origami originated in the 17th century and further immortalized the crane in Japanese culture.

But on Friday, March 11, 2011 an earthquake hit Japan – with a magnitude of 8.9, it was the largest Japan has ever seen – and it triggered an equally massive tsunami that left many coastal towns in ruins.

“We heard about the earthquake in Japan,” Sydney Hildreth said. “We talked about it,” Michael Hayes added. They are both 5th grade members of the student council, as well, along with Jessica James and Quentin. “We watched some videos online.”

So the student council decided to do something. Having heard of the Japanese legend, they set out to make 1000 paper cranes. Their wish, as Quentin put it, was “to bring Japan hope.”

Most of the origami cranes have the names of their creators scribbled on the wings. A few are made of traditional Bokashi paper. Some are colored, one alternates purple with aquamarine marker in a criss-crossed pattern, another is folded in miniature. Together, they all symbolize an inspiring effort by the Francis Wyman community.

“Neither Ms. Rigby or I can make paper cranes to save our lives,” Paul Rabazzi laughed. He and Anne Rigby are teacher advisors to the student council. “I can safely say this was driven by the student council.”

The initiative is just one of many selfless fundraisers the student council runs, along with Pennies For Patients, Coats for Kids, and an annual food drive.

The 4/5th grade student council has 20 kids altogether, and they spearheaded the project. “We practiced a lot,” said Jessica, one of the designated experts who visited classrooms throughout Francis Wyman to help students make the cranes.

“A lot of the steps were hard,” Sydney said of the origami process. “It was kind of confusing to them [students they were helping].”

Even an experienced origamist like Quentin struggled, “The only two I can’t make are an owl… and a crane.”

Once folded, the cranes were then strung on threads and held in place by beads. Suspended from the ceiling near the front office, the grand total reaches over 1000 cranes. Most of the cranes were sponsored by families or the students themselves at fifty cents each, some garnered larger donations. The proceeds, which totaled $244.50, were donated to Hearts N Hands for Japan, “a grass roots person-to-person” relief fund that sends aid directly to Japan.

With “just fourteen and a half days of school left,” as Michael was happy to inform me, it’s refreshing to see students still engaged.

“We’re helping people who don’t have money to get things they need to survive,” Sydney said.