Jackson art teacher creates 2,977-link tribute to 9/11 victims

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) — A Jackson art teacher created a paper chain with 2,977 links — one honoring each victim killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Orchard Drive Elementary art teacher Kori Demyan spent about 30 hours building the tribute ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The finished chain became so heavy that she needed two backdrops to support it.

“I like doing art that has meaning behind it,” Demyan said. “When I started doing this, I told my husband, ‘I’m going to do enough chain links to represent each person that passed.’”

The idea began with a social media trend featuring teachers making colorful paper chains as classroom decorations. After creating chains for her classroom, Demyan decided to adapt the project for Patriot Day. She also plans to use it for Veterans Day and other events.

Demyan said she wants students to see that artwork does not have to be a painting or sculpture to carry meaning.

“I want my students to know that when they go out in the world, everywhere they look, there’s artwork,” she said. “It can be so many things. It can be something as simple as a paper chain.”

The display became the centerpiece of Orchard Drive Elementary’s Sept. 11 remembrance.

COURTESY: Kori Demyan

The school’s 375 students spent the day learning about the attacks through stories and artwork before joining staff members for a moment of silence Friday afternoon.

“Our staff is teaching about Patriot Day and 9/11 during the day, so we want our students to be able to understand the reason for the moment of silence,” Principal Christine Zirges said.

The school’s observance followed a nationwide call from the U.S. Department of Education encouraging K-12 educators to provide age-appropriate lessons and honor the victims and heroes of Sept. 11 with a moment of silence.

Teachers at Orchard Drive used children’s books, including “The Man in the Red Bandana,” to introduce students to stories of courage and resilience.

Students also created artwork featuring American flags and the Survivor Tree, which became a symbol of survival and regrowth after it was recovered from the rubble at the World Trade Center.

Zirges said the lessons help students who were born years after the attacks understand the day’s place in American history. She also wants them to recognize the first responders, service members and veterans who continue to serve the country.

“We want students to know that our country is resilient, and we want students to know that we united as a country 25 years ago, and still to this day,” Zirges said.

Orchard Drive’s remembrance is part of a districtwide observance reaching about 5,800 Jackson R-2 students.