Story and photos by Garrett Liberman ’25
In contrast to the bustling classrooms that fill the campus during Winter Term, the Craft It Forward class offers a peaceful space where students can unwind and focus in a calming, creative environment. Led by Upper School Science Teacher and Athletic Trainer Stacy Morgan, this class provides just the opportunity to slow down and engage in hands-on craftsmanship of all kinds.
Ms. Morgan shared her reasoning for organizing this course for Winter Term: “I created this course because it combines two things I really enjoy, service and crafting. I have my own small business so I thought it would be interesting.” Many people may not be aware of Ms. Morgan’s passion for arts and crafts, but through this Winter Term class, she was able to share her love for creativity while providing students with the opportunity to learn valuable skills in both crafting and community service.
The atmosphere in the Craft It Forward class was calm and relaxed, with each student deeply engaged in their own projects. Despite the quiet environment, there was a clear sense of focus, as everyone worked with intent on their tasks. Ms. Morgan reflected on the experience, saying, “For me, I like being able to share something I enjoy with students, and I chose this because it has the ability to be a lifelong activity for students, which I think is important. Seeing the creativity of students is also something I enjoy.” By creating such a space, Ms. Morgan allowed students to flourish in their own unique ways.
Over the two-week period, students had the opportunity to fully express their creativity. They crafted a wide range of items, including jewelry, pottery, pet toys, paintings, clothing, and more. Ms. Morgan guided students through the process of transforming their creativity into small businesses. The class culminated in a final craft fair held in the Steward Family Aquatic Center lobby, where students showcased and sold their creations. Alongside the business component of the class, students also engaged in a community service project. “In addition to each student making their own small business, we also made almost 200 craft kits for local assisted living facilities,” Ms. Morgan shared. Crafting, she explained, “also has a lot of mental and physical benefits, which we also address.” Ultimately, these two events helped demonstrate to Rams how their artistic talents could be used to positively impact themselves and the community.