‘Kindness is a seed; plant it and help it grow.’

As students walk down Seely Place’s second-floor hallway, their eyes dance across the colorful new mural. Their smiles show the pride and satisfaction of co-creators … of those who had a role in creating something so big and important and permanent. 

“Our new mural wasn’t just a painting project; it was a collaborative journey,” said Assistant Principal Nathaniel Peterson.

Not only did students submit concepts and sketches that form the heart of the design, but a student came up with the idea that inspired the quote “Kindness is a seed; plant it and help it grow,” which was word smithed by the fifth and sixth graders in the Principal’s Advisory Committee.

Students had a first-hand look at the work of a mural artist, as visiting artist Joe Pimentel first synthesized their ideas into a cohesive vision on paper, then put on Virtual Reality goggles to scale the small sketch across 500 square feet. 

The most exciting part: fifth and sixth graders climbed small ladders and painted vibrant pink, blue, green and yellow letters, leaves, and light beams on the walls. 

“The students were excited to see their creative ideas come to life,” said Assistant Principal Peterson. “It is a beautiful addition to our school that represents our students' unique ideas and hard work.”