By: Tremaine Slaughter, EAST Student Contributor

Sometimes the most meaningful creations begin with a story that stays with you, turning an idea into something deeply personal. Maggie’s Garden of Light is more than just a project; it is a movement built on love and remembrance. Students from Brookland Middle School, Jordan Martin, Hunter Combs, and Lily Hufford, were approached by Mrs. Davidson, a teacher at the school, who introduced them to the story of her granddaughter, Maggie, who died at birth.

Mrs. Davidson first asked if the students could create a simple plaque to honor her granddaughter, but, inspired by her story, the students took the problem back to the EAST classroom to create something beyond what Mrs. Davidson had envisioned.

“I went to them asking if they could potentially make a small plaque with Maggie’s name on it,” Mrs. Davidson said. “We were planning to do her room in owls, so I thought that maybe we could just put an owl or two on the plaque.”

The project quickly became more than just a plaque. What started as a small request became a group effort filled with care and purpose. Every detail was carefully chosen to reflect Maggie’s spirit and the love that lives on in her memory.

As the design developed, the students wanted to ensure it was more than just something people could see during the day. They added solar-powered lights above the acrylic so the piece could softly glow at night. Not only did this design choice improve the piece's appearance, but it also made it strong enough to withstand outdoor conditions while still looking meaningful and beautiful.

“When I received the plaque, I was overwhelmed by what they put into it. It wasn't just a little plaque; it was something that had lights and everything that Maggie would have loved,” Mrs. Davidson said. “That meant so much to me because they took the time and compassion to do something like this for a grieving grandmother and parents. I asked for a plaque and got so much more than that.”

The students walked away with a deeper understanding of how thoughtful design can become something meaningful for others, as their work fulfilled the emotional need of Mrs. Davidson who recently lost her son as well.

Reflecting on the experience, the students shared, “Advice I would give to someone doing a similar project is to be strong and be the kind of person who takes a moment like this seriously, without making a joke out of it or treating it as less important than it really is, and to not make it anybody else’s business, but instead to respect the situation and the people involved by handling it with care and maturity.”

The final design stands as a lasting tribute to Maggie. The soft light and thoughtful design make the garden feel like a place where Maggie’s presence is still remembered and honored.

“Turning Mrs. Davidson's idea into an actual plaque was a little hard for me because I know it's very meaningful to her, and I didn't want to create anything that wouldn't really stand out to her, or be something she didn't like,” Jordan said. “It was hard to make everything as perfect as possible. It was also really special to us because she trusted us enough with that information,” Lily added.

Maggie’s Garden of Light demonstrates how a simple idea can grow into something deeply meaningful when people invest their care into it. What began as a small request transformed into a lasting tribute that symbolizes love, memory, and thoughtfulness. The project honors Maggie’s memory and also shows how students can use their creativity to positively impact someone else’s life.

“Projects like this matter because they remind us that what we create can carry meaning far beyond the physical object. The final product is beautiful, but what truly matters is the heart behind it, made up of the conversations, the care, the collaboration, and the intention poured into every decision,” Mr. Blansett said. “This project gave students a chance to connect with someone else’s story and to create something that brings comfort, remembrance, and light to others. It teaches them that their work has purpose, that they can make an impact on someone’s life, and that serving a community is just as important as mastering a skill. That’s something they’ll carry with them long after a project is completed.”