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Monster Plushies Resurface to Bring Another Round of Joy

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Sixth-grade technology students at Intermediate South proudly display their handmade monster plushies.
May 21, 2026- After the tremendous success of last year’s Monster Plushie Project, Intermediate South’s life skills and technology teacher Abigail Stolowski brought the project back for an exciting second year with her sixth- and eighth-grade students. Through the support and collaboration of Pine Beach Elementary School Principal Tricia Tutzauer, Stolowski connected with Jamie Zaker and Amanda Pavero’s kindergarten classes to continue this creative and heartwarming partnership.
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The kindergarten students began the project by designing and drawing their very own monsters, complete with funny names, personalities, likes, and interests. Their imaginative drawings were then sent to Intermediate South, where Stolowski’s students used their newly-developed sewing skills to bring each monster to life as a handmade plushie.

“The students were incredibly excited to take a simple drawing and transform it into something meaningful for a younger child,” said Stolowski. “They worked so carefully on every stitch because they knew these plushies would become very special to the kindergarten students.”

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Sixth-grade life skills students at Int. South and their plushies
The middle school students approached the project with tremendous care, creativity, and attention to detail, knowing their work would bring joy to a younger student. After receiving the plushies, Zaker and Pavero shared that their kindergarten students had “already been cuddling, playing with, and talking about their special gifts.”
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Stolowski extended a special thank you to the Alpha Delta Kappa Lambda Chapter for awarding her a mini grant to support the initiative. Thanks to that funding, students were able to work with higher-quality sewing needles, felt, and hot glue guns, helping them create even more detailed and durable plushies for the Pine Beach kindergartners.

“This project is such a wonderful example of students supporting students through creativity and kindness,” said Principal Tutzauer. “The collaboration between our schools created meaningful connections and unforgettable memories for everyone involved.”

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Eyeing someone else's monster plushie? Not unusual.
The Monster Plushie Project continues to be a powerful example of creativity, collaboration, and compassion while giving students an opportunity to build meaningful skills and connections across grade levels. Additional photos below.
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