This past month, Zoe Sikon, Anne Knellinger, and I had the honor of painting another mural at Columbus Global academy. We brightened up both the assistant principal’s office and the hallway. In the hallway, we painted a chalkboard, along with a graphic light bulb design . The school is going to use the chalkboard to display the colleges some of their soon-to-be graduates will attend. We had a few pictures printed out already, so when school started back on Monday, some of the kids could already see their picture up on the wall. Not only are a lot of the students that attend Columbus Global first-generation Americans, many will be first-generation college students. The school, along with the community, wants to encourage as many students as possible to get a higher education. Personally, I could not understand the absolute mountain that these students have to climb in order to get to the same place that I am today. I have always lived here, and I have always spoken English, and these kids have to learn a new language, a new culture, and balance a normal school and social life on top of that.
In addition, we added some art to the assistant principal’s office. the principal of CGA is a wonderful lady, and cares deeply for her students. Many spend time in her office just to talk to her, however her surroundings reflected neither her, not the school’s spirit. We painted postivie phrases in many of the languages spoken at the school on the wall, along with the school’s mascot, a lion. Hopefully the bright colors will cheer up any students that are having a bad day. It was an honor to paint another mural at CGA, the kids and staff that work there are truly inspiring, and I hope the school continues to thrive.
