Paul V. Moore High School learners helped make little dreams a reality as first-graders provided ideas for creatures and 3D Art students brought them to life.

The project began with Mrs. Jennifer Stalsonberg’s first grade Millard Hawk Elementary class providing the idea – what their creature looked like and a basic sketch of them.

Then, students from Mrs. Lorelei Lacey’s 3D Art class worked for several weeks with various materials and ultimately hand-sewed two toys each which were given to their original first-grade creators during a surprise ceremony last week. Eyes lit up and bonds were immediately formed with their new stuffed friends as they unbagged the toys alongside the art students who made them.

Lacey said the project is one of her favorites in 25 years of educating, and they were able to bring it back after a hiatus due to the pandemic.

“I have several current students who were lucky enough to be recipients of toys as littles years ago, and they have shared how much they still cherish their toys and keep them in a very safe place in their room,” Lacey said. “My high school students took the task of creating the toys very seriously and worked hard to bring their little's vision to life.”

Students worked hard with materials like felt, hammers, beads, hot glue and pipe cleaners – with some tackling hand sewing for the first time ever.

“It was actually pretty nerve-wracking with it being something we worked on for so long and not wanting to disappoint the kids,” said 3D Art student and PVM senior Ngan Phan. “So it was really satisfying to see how much they liked it.”

Fellow classmate and senior Jack Tweedy echoed those sentiments, adding he hopes the toys are something the young students can cherish for years.

“I have a collection of stuffed animals at my mom’s house and to see someone get something special like that is very satisfying,” said Tweedy.