Giving 1,000 origami paper cranes to the sick and needy is a Japanese tradition intended to bring health and hope to those who need it. Recently, FHS students tried to give that message to the family of ‘92 Flathead graduate Lisa Meyers, who was injured in a car accident over Christmas break. Meyers, the daughter of FHS English teacher Terry Meyers and Montessori 1st grade teacher Katy Meyers, was injured in the car accident along with her brother, ‘96 graduated Zach, as well as ‘97 graduate Eddie Abel, and ‘92 grad Serah Overbeek. Lisa Meyers is the only one of the four still in the hospital, with severe injuries to her back. She is not expected to walk again and remains in critical condition. History teacher Jean Barragan, one of those behind the origami project, believes that the 1,000 paper cranes is a way the students and staff can show the concern over Meyer’s condition at Flathead High. “It was a little way that the students could let the Meyers know that they were praying for the,” said Barragan. The idea was conceived when junior Seishiro Hokazono — a native of Japan — spoke to Barragan’s world history class last week about the crane being the Japanese symbol for peace that is supposed to bring good luck. “(The students) are doing pretty well,” said Hokazono. “I hope they do this and hope at the same time.” After hearing Hokazono, Barragan remembered seeing the project in a book, “Sandako and the Thousand Paper Crane.” According to Barragan, the exchange has become common practice in Japan. The project will hold special meaning for the Meyers family that lived for a year in Japan. “It‘s a way that the students can show that their hearts are tied to the Meyers,” said Barragan. Barragan spoke to Japanese teacher Toshiro Iwanaga and proposed the project. FHS teachers jumped at the project as a way to show support for the Meyers family. Teachers involved were social studies teacher Kristin Morin, English teacher Nancy Rose, social studies teacher Richard Hildner and science teacher Linda deKort. “The best part,” said deKort, “was that (the Meyers) had evidence that there was that much hope and thought for them.” While folding the cranes, students are to “say a prayer of wish for health,” said to Barragan. The project was finished Wednesday that hundreds of students participated. “It was very thoughtful,” said junior Rhonda Doan. “It’s not just buying a present; it’s going out and doing something.” (See Page 5 for more information on helping the Meyers family.) “It seems like so many people are touched so powerfully,” said Rose. “Everyone wants to help in some way. The project has made the thoughts (and) prayers … visual.” |
