When Ms. Gwenn Sueling told her students that Sandy Hook Elementary was the first school she ever worked at, they felt the need to make a statement acknowledging the lives lost and the sadness and helplessness that event made us all feel. After much discussion and hard work the students painted a mural in memory of the victims.
Students Kayla Vasko and Brooke Lazarich
The mural was spearheaded and overseen by three students, Kayla Vasko, Brooke Lazarich, and Eddie Walker, though many of the students in the advanced painting and drawing classes lent a hand with the portraits. The mural was painted in oils on a canvas then mounted on the fence at the school’s entrance.
Students prepared the canvas and started transferring the portraits immediately following the shooting in Sandy Hook in December 2012. “We worried that it was taking too long but did not want to rush because we wanted to do the best job we could to honor the lives that had been lost,” added Ms. Seuling.
Since most of the students who worked on the mural had not used oil paints before they allow everyone to take their time and do the best job they could. This mural was meant as a tribute, and time was not an issue for the end result the students desired – an accurate depiction of each of the Sandy Hook victims.
The three coordinators of the project, Kayla, Brooke and Eddie prepared materials, coordinated the work, and managed to get over forty other students to work on it, when they were able, and yet maintain a uniform look. While they worked on the mural, students discussed school shootings, what they ought to do if one occurred and what caused them.
The students learned to use oil paints, but more importantly, they learned to get to know each other as they set aside pre-conceived notions and prejudices and got to know each other as individuals. “I cannot express how proud I am of my students, or how wonderful it feels to bring together my past and present schools in such a meaningful way,” said Ms. Seuling.
Seminole Ridge Community High School is located at 4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd. in Loxahatchee.
For more information contact Gwenn Seuling at (561) 422-2704 or via email at gwenn.seuling@palmbeachschools.org.
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Public Affairs Contact: Natalia Arenas – (561) 357-7662 – natalia.arenas@palmbeachschools.org
