JOPLIN, Mo. – More than a half-dozen newborn infants inside the Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on the west campus sported handcrafted Halloween costumes courtesy of Hannah Shaw’s Liberal High School 3-D art class.

The 16 donated costumes, eight each for girls and boys, ranged from the traditional – Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse – to the trendy, a replica of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup trophy. Other cute costumes included a blue crayon, a rocket ship, a ‘60s hippy and a boxer.

The class – consisting of students Cooper Trout, Haylee Goodwin, Crista Perry, Kylee Melton and Katelyn W, along with contributions made by Shaw and substitute teacher Dana Meadows – have been working on the costumes since early October. It’s the third year Shaw’s students have brainstormed, crafted and donated Halloween costumes for Freeman Health System’s youngest patients.

“We have had several staff members’ children in the NICU, and I was a NICU baby myself,” Shaw said. “When I asked my students three years ago if they were interested it was a resounding yes. Our school is very supportive of community-driven projects.”

The students’ Halloween costume creations ranged from fads to pop culture. Supplies used to craft the costumes were donated by Liberal resident Doris Fast. 

“I feel as a teacher it’s my job to teach them art, but not every student that comes through my classroom is going to end up using those skills,” Shaw said. “If I can throw in some projects that teach them the value of giving back, those are the things they are going to remember when they leave me. If they leave school as good people with good hearts – that’s my goal.”