Tustin fifth-graders touch hearts at Santana High

June 5, 2001

Sometimes compassion and healing can come from small children with big hearts.

That's what Santana High School students discovered yesterday when they received a handmade gift of hope.

The 32 fifth-graders and their teacher at Helen Estock Elementary School in Tustin read about the March 5 school shooting that left two dead and 13 wounded. They decided to make garlands of origami cranes decorated with beads for the high school students.

The idea came from a book they read about a young girl in Japan whose death from leukemia years after the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima promoted a national plea for peace.

"You have to be compassionate to people," said fifth-grader Larissa Silvas, 11. "You have to give them space in your heart."

Fifth-grade teacher Steve Heermann and his pupils presented the garlands to members of the Associated Student Body. The elementary pupils spent 200 hours working on the project before and after school, and at lunch. They made about 3,400 paper cranes to get the perfect 1,000 they gave to Santana High.

"I hope you will hang these up as a constant reminder that we all need peace," Heermann said.

The teacher earlier had sent to Santana High a book with photos and letters from the pupils, who wrote about themselves and their plans for the future.

At the presentation, fifth-grader Sara Martinez could hardly get the words out through her tears.

"I liked writing to you guys and I imagined how I would feel," she said.

Afterward, the students shared pizza, cake and companionship.

"We didn't even know them, but we still cared about them," said Elmer Flores, 10.

Santana High students said they had received many letters of support, but they were particularly touched that these youngsters had traveled 90 minutes on the school bus to deliver the paper garlands.

"You guys are awesome," said senior Tiffany Wilson, 17. "Thank you for caring so much."

Added Chris Mazzi, an 18-year-old senior: "They are so caring about us. That gives me hope for the future."

Although there were tears, there were lighter moments, as when a group of taller and smaller students joined in a circle dance and also played "Simon Says."

"If we have a generation of children who see their connection to people, it provides hope to everyone," said Santana High vice principal Sue Emerson.

The visit from the elementary pupils was the same day as a newly formed campus club, Students Against Violent Events at School, began a campaign for peace.

Blue ribbons are embossed with the word "Promise," and students signed a pledge that said, among other things: "I will never use a weapon to settle a dispute."

In another project, sponsored by Scripps Health, Santana High seniors were given disposable cameras and asked to take pictures of positive things in their lives that gave them hope. Yesterday, they received the pictures that had been developed.

Many had photographed friends and family, some took pictures of their pets, while others took some of landscapes. Each of the 348 seniors was asked to choose a favorite image. The photos, along with some by faculty and staff, will be on display at Santana High's graduation on June 14.

"We've always been a caring staff and awesome caring student body, but there is a deeper connection now," said Melissa Hassell, Associated Student Body adviser and world history teacher. "There's no other school on the face of the Earth that I'd rather be teaching at. I felt that even before and I feel it even more strongly now."