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The poppy itself has symbolism rooted in history. Inspired by the poem \u201cIn Flanders Fields,\u201d by John McCrae, the flower became a lasting emblem of remembrance for those who died in war. \u201cIn the poem, it talks about how, even through all the destruction, the poppies still grew,\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of ironic \u2014 it was the limerich rubble and nitrogen from the explosives that created the fertile soil that allowed the poppies to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students learn about color symbolism as they design their own poppies, choosing among four basic shades \u2014 red for traditional remembrance, white for hope for peace, purple for animals that served, and black to honor service members of African and Caribbean descent. \u201cThey choose how they glaze their poppy and what colors they use,\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cThat helps them create a personal connection to how they want to honor veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The process itself is both hands-on and intensive. Students begin in early September by rolling out clay, cutting petal shapes with stencils, assembling layers, and forming delicate, wispy flowers. After firing and glazing, each piece is mounted on rebar to create an outdoor display<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re involved every step of the way,\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cThey see what we want to accomplish and then participate in all the steps it takes to get there. It\u2019s not fast, and it\u2019s not always easy, but that\u2019s part of the lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time the display is installed in November, the school\u2019s front lawn is transformed into a sea of hundreds of ceramic poppies. \u201cTo see 200 or 300 poppies out in our front yard \u2014 it\u2019s really special,\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cFamilies drive by during arrival and dismissal and see all of that. It\u2019s one of the most ambitious projects I\u2019ve ever designed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the past two cycles, in 2022 and 2026, the initiative has raised hundreds of dollars for veteran organizations, including the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and a horse farm supporting individuals with PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Poppy Project also complements the school\u2019s annual Veterans Day program, which includes student performances, guest speakers, and opportunities for students to honor family members who have served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe invite veterans to come in and sit in a place of honor,\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cStudents escort them in, and there\u2019s this pride of walking with their grandparent or family member. It\u2019s very powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside the classroom, the impact is just as meaningful. Hamnett said she often hears students discussing who they plan to give their poppies to and why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome say, \u2018I\u2019m giving this to my grandpa,\u2019 or they talk about why they chose certain colors,\u201d she said. \u201cThose conversations show they understand the purpose behind what they\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many families later display the poppies at home, creating a reminder of both the project and the people it honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve had families come up to me years later and say, \u2018That poppy is still in our yard,\u2019\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cThat\u2019s really special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to honoring veterans, the project serves as the art program\u2019s only fundraiser, helping cover the cost of materials like clay, kiln supplies, and specialty glazes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis year\u2019s project raised enough funds to purchase clay for the next two years,\u201d Hamnett said. \u201cI was even able to invest in some really beautiful glazes for the students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Hamnett, the project is a reflection of what art education can achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArt has this superpower,\u201d she said. \u201cWe get to create, but we also get to immerse students in history, science, math, and culture in a way that they can truly absorb them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the project requires significant time and effort, including assembling displays in questionable weather, Hamnett said the result is always worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are moments where you think, \u2018What am I doing?\u2019\u201d she said with a laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut seeing it all come together, the pride of the students, watching them find their poppy in the field, it\u2019s incredibly gratifying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She hopes the tradition continues for future classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI almost feel a responsibility to keep doing it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s such an amazing experience for the kids and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Poppy Project is all about connections, Hamnett said, linking students to history, their community, and the values of service and remembrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would just like to express my gratitude to all service members,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd to thank my students for the heart and soul they put into this project. Without them, this was nothing but an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next scheduled installation of the Poppy Project will be on Veterans Day 2028. There are always poppies available for purchase in the lobby of Jones Brummett Elementary School. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AT JONES Brummett Elementary, a field of bright ceramic poppies blooms every three years and falls, not from soil, but from the hands of students learning the meaning of service, sacrifice, and remembrance. The school\u2019s Poppy Project, a Veterans Day art initiative created by art teacher Alexis Hamnett, brings together creativity, history, and community impact. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":23803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[6,70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","category-lebanon"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lebanon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/07\/1-2-1024x683.jpg\")
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