Everyone goes through challenging times, whether it’s shown out loud or it’s kept inside. Whatever the situation may be, one thing is true for all: they always want to feel supported. At Green Hope High School, that idea has taken shape through a heartfelt project where staff members create handmade cards during life’s most meaningful moments. Behind these thoughtful creations are two dedicated staff members, Mrs. Scelsi and Ms. Karve, whose collaboration has helped strengthen the sense of community within the school.
The idea began only a few months ago when the school needed a card for a staff celebration. In the past, Mrs. Scelsi explained, cards were usually ordered through the front office, but it was often difficult to find something affordable and fitting for the occasion. That changed when Ms. Karve once hand-designed a card for a teacher expecting a baby. The drawing featured a small onesie decorated with “GH,” a simple but personal touch that immediately stood out.
“I absolutely loved it,” Mrs. Scelsi said. Ms. Cleveland also supported the idea and even offered suggestions, and from that moment forward, the tradition of custom-made Green Hope cards was born.
Ms. Karve now creates each design by hand, usually on weekends, using supplies she already has at home. The process begins with thinking about the purpose of the card, whether it is for celebration, gratitude or sympathy, and then planning a design that matches the moment.“This is my way of giving back to my Green Hope family,” Ms. Krave shared. Once the artwork is finished, she hands the card to Mrs. Scelsi, who carefully writes a message inside before sending it to the recipient.
For both staff members, the cards represent more than paper and paint. They are a symbol of how closely connected the Green Hope community is.“We spend a good part of the day in this school,” they explained. “We are a family. We share a lot of emotions and stories with each other […] We want to let them know that we are with them through happiness and sorrow via a simple gesture of sending cards.”
Some occasions are harder than others. While every situation is meaningful, sympathy cards stand out as the most emotionally challenging to make. Ms. Karve shared that she often thinks about the family going through heartbreak as she designs them, while Mrs. Scelsi finds the writing process just as difficult.
“I try to write them after work hours when it is quiet and I can concentrate,” she said.
The creative process itself can vary depending on the design. Ms. Karve uses different materials, including watercolors and acrylic paints, and often works on multiple cards at once while waiting for layers to dry. Some designs come together quickly, while others take more time and detail, but each is crafted with care.
When asked which card has been her favorite to make, Ms. Karve couldn’t choose just one. Instead, both she and Mrs. Scelsi agreed that what matters most is the collaboration and thought behind each project.
“Each card has its own importance,” they said. “Our favorite part is the process and working together.”
Through their creativity and compassion, Mrs. Scelsi and Ms. Karve have turned a simple idea into a meaningful tradition, one that reminds the Green Hope community that even in a busy school environment, kindness and connection are always worth taking the time to share.
