Flowers are often associated with symbolic meanings, and zinnias in particular are representative of lasting affection, thinking (or in memory) of an absent friend, constancy, goodness, and daily remembrance. This is the inspiration for Zoetic Zinnias, a charitable project run by Shelby High School students to spread encouragement in their community and raise awareness for human trafficking.
What started as a class assignment for Stephanie Jankov’s freshman English students at Shelby High School has since turned into a long-term project that involves growing flowers, decorating vases and raising money for charity.
“I try for my class to design a project where the students have to make a difference in the world, an issue where people live without food, water, clothing, human rights, something like that,” said Jankov. “This stuff is really powerful for the students, they get really motivated. I had several students approach me wanting something more to do, so I tried to think of something long-term I could do that wasn’t necessarily tied to my class for a grade, something they could be involved in all four years of high school.”
The name “Zoetic Zinnias” comes from both the symbolism of the zinnia, and the definition of “zoetic,” meaning vital and living. As an English teacher, Jankov said the symbolism of the flower really stood out to her and incorporated well with the project’s main focus: fighting human trafficking.
“Zinnias are symbolic of thinking of an absent friend, and we see people who are victims of trafficking as our friends and we need to remember them,” said Jankov. “And this constancy and goodness is what it’s going to take for them to get out of that and find freedom.”
Approximately 20 of Jankov’s students are actively involved in the project, first starting the process in April by planting seeds at the Dowds Elementary greenhouse garden. Jankov admitted the project hit a wall towards the end of the summer when she returned from a trip to Europe to find many of the flowers had been lost. However, what began as a moment of despair eventually turned into Jankov’s biggest inspiration.
“I’m glad that setback happened, because when I got back from Europe and I saw the greenhouse, I came in and I shed a few tears,” she said. “I hit a wall, and I thought how deep am I committed to this, did I think this was going to be easy?”
“I started pulling dead leaves off of all the flowers and seeing what could be stripped away and how much life was left,” she continued, “And it was really healing and beautiful, I saw these flowers still holding on and it felt like a complete parallel to people who are trafficked. They’re in this mess, this horrible dead and decaying situation and a lot of them won’t survive and it’s heartbreaking to see that; but there are going to be people who will get out and people who need that rehabilitation–those dead leaves stripped away. If we can help with even the rehabilitation or even the ‘watering’ by being vigilant about awareness – it’s all there, it’s all very important.”
Jankov said human trafficking really hit home with her students because it felt more real to them than struggles such as hunger or clean water. She noted 1,100 children aged 13 to 17 years old are trafficked out of Ohio, and helping promote awareness is the best way to fight this crisis.
“I hate to think that the human trafficking even exists, so I really want to help stop that and prevent it and raising money for that is really awesome,” said sophomore Morgan Hummel. “I’ve learned to appreciate small things, and everything that we have and we’re lucky for that you don’t even realize.”
“I think for me, it’s just spreading the word about human trafficking because a lot of people don’t know about it,” added sophomore Sarah Harding. “You see them take interest in it and want to learn more about it.”
Jankov noted the giving model for Zoetic Zinnias is two-fold: helping to fight human trafficking and also spreading positivity throughout the community. Through the simple act of handing out flowers to students passing by one day during school, Jankov realized the power a flower holds to encourage people and spread joy through such a small gesture.
“We did it another time, had them nominate people who they thought could use encouraging. I expected them to nominate themselves or their best friends but I was blown away by how observant they are and how they know who is sad and who could use encouraging. They could see it as a way to maybe bridge a gap that was there prior.”
“I really like encouraging people,” said Hummel. “When people get sad and they need encouraged, I really like seeing people happy when they smile, and putting a smile on their face.”
“I like a combination of both,” said sophomore Jenna Lybarger. “We’re helping people that are stuck in human trafficking and brightening people’s day. We’re making positive impacts on people’s lives every day. The more you give, the more you’re going to get out of life. Helping people is also going to help you in the end.”
Though the Zoetic Zinnias have only held a few flower sales mostly at the Shelby Farmer’s Market, Jankov is optimistic the movement will gain traction in Shelby and become a force of positivity and encouragement. In the meantime, she hopes her students are taking away valuable life lessons for their efforts.
“I just want them to know that they can make a difference; you don’t have to be an adult to start trying to do things,” said Jankov. “In high school I see so much potential for training ground to become who you’re going to be in life. I really want to see them empowered in their ability to change things, empowered in their view of the world. And there really is joy in giving of yourself for others, especially those less fortunate.”
For more information about Zoetic Zinnias, visit their website or follow them on Twitter @ZoeticZinnias
“Zinnias are symbolic of thinking of an absent friend, and we see people who are victims of trafficking as our friends and we need to remember them,” said Stepahnie Jankov. “And this constancy and goodness is what it’s going to take for them to get out of that and find freedom.”
