GREENVILLE, Indiana — Hundreds of paper cranes hang in the windows of Greenville Elementary art teacher Theresa Jett’s classroom as a touching gesture of support.
One of her fourth-grade students, Jacoby Christie, was diagnosed with stage four cancer last June.
Jett wanted to find a way for the whole school to express their support for Jacoby. That’s when she found the Japanese tradition of folding paper cranes and enlisted the help of Jacoby’s fellow classmates.
“When you fold a 1,000 paper cranes, it’s similar to making a wish,” she explained. “So, students had to be patient and practice and work on folding those 1,000 paper cranes with Jacoby in mind.”
The students worked fast at perfecting the art. Jett said they met the goal in less than a month.
“Jacoby’s been having a real hard time lately,” fourth-grader Jack Kaml said. “I just feel like making paper cranes, and the whole school making paper cranes, will help him bring goodwill.”
Although Jacoby misses school often due to treatment, his classmates said every time he comes in they hope he sees the cranes as a sign of hope and love.
In a video shared by the New Albany Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation, Jacoby said the support has been immensely appreciated as he nears the end of his frontline chemo.
“I only have three cycles left, but I’m going to get through it,” he said. “I really appreciate all the support people have been giving me. It just feels so great and I don’t think I’ll ever forget this.”
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