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Jackson Middle School students put their hearts into Valentine’s Day boxes

By Douglass Huxley 2 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Jackson Middle School students were feeling the love last week as they designed and created Valentine's Day boxes for younger children at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Bios of each child from the day care were sent to students at Jackson where they then adopted an individual kid and were challenged to create an innovative Valentine's Day box that could be used. Students created boxes with functioning drawers, lights and games built into them.

"It's such a fun experience," teacher Cherish Stavrakis said. "I always have more students wishing to help than are needed."

Samantha Ash, owner of Olivia and Friends Child Care and Development Center, said the boxes were delivered on Thursday and this was the fifth year of working with Stavrakis to make them.

"It has truly become one of my favorite traditions of the year," Ash said.

She said what makes it special is the connection between the middle school students and their younger peers. She said the older students get to tap back into being a kid again and pour their creativity into something meaningful, and it has a tremendous impact on the younger kids when they receive their boxes.

"When they see their box for the first time, their jaws literally drop," Ash said. "They feel seen. They feel special. Many of them keep their boxes long after Valentine's Day is over. It's such a boost to their self-esteem to know someone took the time to learn about them and create something just for them. It's truly a highlight of our year."

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com

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