Hope, healing and happiness are the feelings students in one Schoharie County school district are trying to stress to others. As YNN's Maria Valvanis explains, a new student made piece of art will send that message to all who enter the Schoharie High School doors.

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SCHOHARIE, N.Y. -- Ninth grader Hannah Roselli said, "We made a bunch of little squares, then we put them together to make a puzzle."

A puzzle with a very deep message. Schoharie Central students unvalued their 314 tile mosaic, "Pieces of Hope," arranged in the shape of Schoharie County, with a heart inside.

Deborah Coyle from Project Hope said, "It reflects and is symbolic of the rebuilding of our community, the individual pieces, the homes, the businesses, coming back together is reflective in these tiles going together."

"It showed me that in a situation where there’s no hope, if the community comes together, we can accomplish anything," said Roselli.

The yearlong project was the result of a collaborated effort between the school and Project Hope. A crisis counseling program established to help the community heal from the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene.

Coyle said, "The materials used are things that would have been lost in the flood. You'll see broken pottery, toys, jewelry, paper."

A total of 144 students’ homes suffered damages from the storm. The masterpiece was a way for students and faculty to express their feelings moving forward.

"The community's my home and those guys are like my family," said student Monika Herrik.

Schoharie principal Stacey DeLaney said, "I think the thing is everyone was effected by Hurricane Irene in one way shape or form and I think it was a very difficult year for everyone."

But what wasn't difficult was deciding on the perfect place to hang the masterpiece.

"All visitors that visit the district have to come through these doors," said DeLaney.

"I hope they come back again and I hope they like it," said Herrik.