Prosper High School decorates for the holidays annually. Trees, ribbons and lights are present across much of the school to raise spirit for the upcoming break. But this year, PHS student support counselor Stephanie Clayton had the idea to put up a tree with more meaning than just representing holiday spirit.

The Christmas Tree Hope Project is a project in which students can make their own ornament in honor of a lost loved one, and hang it on the tree to display for the holidays. The tree is located just outside the upper house, and supplies for the ornaments can be found in Clayton’s office.

“PHS wanted to do something unique to help and recognize the staff and students who are experiencing grief this time of year, and so they created the Hope Tree Project,” Clayton said. “The project will allow staff and students to create an ornament in memory of a loved one who has died, and place that ornament on a tree to honor and remember their loved ones.”

Clayton recognizes how rough the holidays can be for some students, and this thought inspired the idea of making something tangible as an outlet of emotion.

“Grief is exceptionally hard during the holidays because the traditions and gatherings that are supposed to be joyous are different without that person, and we feel conflicted and complicated emotions,” Clayton said. “Things like the Hope Tree ornaments help us recognize that person and process the emotions that we are feeling in a healthy way.”

Students are already participating in the Hope Tree project, and feeling the difference that its ornaments make. One student is junior Emma Brown.

“It’s nice because when I look at the tree, I can see that other people are going through the same thing,” Brown said. “I don’t feel as alone when I know other people are grieving also.”

Participants say it’s not just the feeling of being alone that is resolved with these decorations, but also the feeling of comfort one receives when dedicating something you made to someone close to the heart. Sophomore Reagan Meyer said the ornaments brought her happiness.

“I really enjoyed being able to represent my mom,” Meyer said. “In a way, that can help us share the holidays with her.”

When making an ornament, students and staff will be given a clear ornament to fill with ribbons that each represent different emotions. Written messages and other unique objects to fill the ornament with are also provided as well.

“I have tons of different colors of ribbon,” Clayton said. “Students can select ribbons that represent different emotions that you feel when you think about that person. Some common emotions that people select include love, loneliness, anger, sadness, frustration, hope, encouragement, inspiration and peace.”

Hope Tree ornaments can be hung on the Hope Project tree and taken home before Christmas break, or people may also make an ornament and take it home that day to share with their family and friends.

“Grief can be incredibly isolating,” Clayton said. “Sometimes we feel like we are the only one struggling. It’s important to stay connected, communicate, and lean on our support system. We can and will get through difficult times, and it’s so important to know we don’t have to do it alone.”