HOISINGTON — Holding caring and compassion in an open hand reaching to the world, sixth graders from Hoisington Middle School recently had the opportunity to visualize and connect to the image.
Molding hands of malleable clay, the boys and girls fashioned a copy of their own hand, complete with the small folds and wrinkles uniquely theirs.
It was all part of an art project conceived by Hoisington High School art teacher Christina Lamoureaux to help the students relate to the world in a physical way.
“It’s a gift to the world from you,” Lamoureaux told the students. “You are creating a community with the whole group in your hands.”
Hoisington High School freshman through juniors worked with the students after completing the project themselves.
 The students watched a video on the language of hands and then they divided into groups. After making rules for their team, which included listening with respect, trying hard and not touch other people’s work, they each received a piece of clay.
Rolling the clay out on newspapers, the 6th graders traced their own hand, each creating their own unique artwork.
“What would you give to the world?” the art teacher asked.
“This is the basis for all good things to happen,” said Lamoureaux, of reaching out. “Smiles on faces and satisfaction with the learning process. That’s what your hands are for-to share.”
The instructor said that the pupils felt valued and involved in the community while following the theory that if you build it with your hands and you can draw it, it becomes real.
The 6th graders thought the project was great and stayed involved in the moment throughout the project.
“Hands can do a lot of things,” said middle school students. “Creativity is important to you. I want to do this again.”
“They appreciated the high school students working with them and wanted to do something with them again,” said sixth grade teacher Leslie Klug.
Appreciation went both ways, and the high school students said, “ I felt valued. The students looked up to me.”
The 6th grade students’ work was displayed at their vocal music concert earlier this month and the project explained to parents.
“What an amazing project that Ms. Lamoureaux guided and allowed to develop,” said Meg Wilson, principal of Hoisington High School. “This is a positive and progressive approach toward educating our youth.”
Right now, on this day and in this time, the world is in their hands.