Acera Blog

The Power of Yes: From Lunar Quilt Dreams to the Kennedy Center

By January 15, 2025No Comments

The Power of Yes: From Lunar Quilt Dreams to the Kennedy Center

Emily Stefanich

At Acera, we believe in the power of “Yes.” When curiosity is harnessed and passions are ignited, the possibilities are limitless. This belief was at the heart of an extraordinary journey our 2nd and 3rd graders in Room 5 embarked on this past fall. Their story is one of creativity, perseverance, and a leap of faith that culminated in an honor beyond our wildest dreams.

In mid-November, Ms. Kathy approached me with an exciting opportunity: a Lunar Quilt competition hosted by the Kennedy Center for the Arts and astronaut Karen Nyberg. The competition, designed for 7th-12th graders, invited students to create quilt blocks inspired by the moon that would be assembled together into a large quilt to be displayed at the Kennedy Center for the Arts. While it was outside the original age group, we reached out to the organizers to ask if our younger students could participate. To our delight, the answer was a resounding “Yes.”

With a tight timeline—quilt blocks were due just nine days later—I brought the opportunity to my class. I laid out the challenge and the reality of our limited time. Rather than hesitating, the students’ enthusiasm overflowed, and they answered with an enthusiastic “Yes.” They rallied together, energized by the prospect of contributing to such a meaningful project. Over the next few days, they worked in teams to brainstorm, plan, and draft their designs. Knowing that only three quilt blocks could be submitted, Ms. Kathy guided the class through discussions and voting sessions to select the designs that would be submitted. This process became a masterclass in collaboration, decision-making, and advocacy.

The week of Thanksgiving was a whirlwind. With support from family volunteers and Acera staff, our classroom transformed into a vibrant hub of sewing, cutting, and writing. Students poured their hearts into their quilt blocks, incorporating rich symbolism and artistry. Equally important was the written component of the submission, where they explained their designs, detailed their collaborative process, and reflected on what going to the moon meant to them. Their passion was so contagious that some students even tried to sneak in to work through recess, eager to perfect every detail. By the time we left for Thanksgiving break, the quilt blocks were complete, the entries submitted, and our hearts full, albeit tired.

The wait for results was a lesson in managing expectations. When the notification date passed without news, we spoke as a class about resilience, disappointment, and cherishing the creative journey. Then, in December, we received an unexpected email: the organizers had received so many incredible submissions that the review process had been delayed. They would select one quilt block per school group and notify us by December 20th.

On the last day before winter break, after a joyous afternoon of ice skating, the email arrived. Not just one, but all three of our quilt blocks had been selected for display at the Kennedy Center for the Arts. The announcement was met with cheers, happy tears, and a deep sense of pride. Our quilt blocks will be featured during the Earth to Space Festival this spring, a testament to our students’ creativity and dedication.

In true Acera fashion, the students then asked a bold question: Could we travel to Washington, D.C., to see their work on display? Once again, we said “Yes.” Plans are now underway, with the support of the Room 5 Parents and the Acera team, to organize a trip to Washington DC to celebrate this incredible achievement.

This journey—from a last-minute challenge to a prestigious recognition—is a shining example of what happens when we embrace the power of “Yes.” By believing in our students and empowering them to take risks, we unlock their potential to achieve remarkable things. This spring, we look forward to standing together in Washington, D.C., celebrating not only the quilt blocks but also the spirit of determination and passion that brought them to life. Bravo, Room 5 students—we are so proud of you!