Have you ever wanted to do a class mural? A class mural is when a graduating class decorates a wall however they want with experiences, studies, or shared interests. It would be a great idea to have a class mural here at Salida High School! The “class mural” that we all create the year we graduate will leave great memories and tell the stories of what we experienced in high school. These memories that we create and share on the wall will influence other graduating classes to experience all the good things we did, and influence them to do a “class mural” too! A class mural isn’t just decoration, it’s a way to bring everyone together and show what makes our class unique. Each student could add something that represents them, whether it’s a hobby, a favorite memory, or a message to future students. Seeing all our ideas come together on one wall would make our time at Salida High feel even more special. Plus, it would be a fun tradition that future classes could continue, turning the mural into a living story of our school community.

I interviewed Janine Frazee, the art teacher here at Salida High School, and got her opinion on what would be the best plan for creating class murals and having students and teachers participate in this activity. Frazee said to, “find the students who are willing to do it, who are well-equipped with the skill-set to make it happen.” At Salida High School, we want students to open their minds and experience art creativity for themselves. 

Of course we would have to find a good place to create the class murals while it builds up over time. Frazee said “Locate the space to do it in [and] make sure there’s adequate funding to make it happen.” For class murals, some good places to put the mural would be areas like the athletic wing, outside on the bricks where the stands are, or in the cafeteria above the table on the wall next to the concession stand. To do the class murals, we will need to find someone who is willing to help with the class murals, which Frazee advised to, “Arrange for someone who is knowledgeable and who can help guide students with the entire process from start to finish.” She also said we need to have the money to support the project.  Having the money to support the project will be difficult, but possible. The school can create a GoFundMe account on the Salida High School website and bring all of the students and staff together to build up money for the class murals. This means the staff is also supporting, participating and helping the students create and experience class murals and their creativity and memories. Class murals would do more than just decorate the school; they would create a sense of pride and connection among students. Everyone who contributes to the mural leaves a piece of themselves behind, and future students can see and appreciate the creativity of the classes before them. It would also be a fun way to celebrate milestones, events, and school traditions, making Salida High feel more like a community. Over time, the murals could even become a unique part of the school’s identity, showing the story of our students year after year. Class murals could also be a way to get everyone involved, not just art students. Teachers, staff, and students from all grades could contribute ideas, paint, or help plan the designs. This collaboration would give everyone a sense of ownership and teamwork, showing that creativity isn’t just for one person or one class—it’s something we can all share. Plus, working together on the murals could be a fun and memorable experience that brings the whole school closer.

Frazee also mentioned, “Find the actual time to make it happen.” Since we all are busy with school and personal requirements, we could do it towards the end of the year just before we get out of school. Another great part about the class murals is that they can keep growing and changing over time. Each graduating class could add their own section or update part of the mural, so it becomes a living project that shows the history and creativity of the school. Students could even create themes for each year or highlight important events, making the mural something everyone looks forward to seeing and contributing to. Over time, it would become a special tradition that connects past, present, and future students at Salida High School

Another consideration that would have to be made is if the murals would be painted over every year, or if every graduating class would have a dedicated area. Frazee said, “I don’t know of many extra big open spaces around the school that would be available for a different mural every year from each class.  I’d say we don’t have that much extra space in the building, so more than likely the class murals would have to be painted over every year, which does create a buildup of paint over time, which is not ideal for the walls. The answer to this depends on what space is available for something like this and is ultimately a question for the administration.” Even with the challenge of limited space, there are creative ways to make the class murals work. For example, the school could use large panels or movable boards that can be displayed in the hallways or common areas, then stored or rotated each year. Another option could be creating smaller murals in classrooms or outdoor areas where space isn’t as limited. These approaches would allow each class to leave their mark while keeping the walls safe, and it would give students a chance to experiment with different styles and ideas each year.

Overall, having a class mural at Salida High School would be a fun and creative way for each graduating class to share their memories and experiences. It would give students a chance to work together, show off their creativity, and leave something behind for future classes to enjoy. With some planning, teamwork, and support from the school, this could turn into a really special tradition that everyone looks forward to each year.