“I think that the mural will brighten the campus and make a variety of students feel more welcome at CHS.” – sophomore ASB Community Outreach Commissioner Paige Plaskoff
This past May, CHS held its first multicultural mural contest. Students submitted artistic designs inspired by multicultural themes that aimed to promote acceptance among the CHS community. The winning design, created by senior Ari Plachta and member of the Courier staff senior Alison Roth, will be painted on the wall of the stage in the lower quad. Over the past several weeks, CHS students and Calabasas community members have joined together to paint the mural.
“Our mural is based on the idea of global unification, tying together different individuals and creating a whole,” said Plachta. “Rather than focusing on one culture, we wish to portray the themes of unity and tolerance, both of which are written near the hands at either ends of the mural.”
The Associated Student Body devised the multicultural in order to influence CHS students to become more appreciative of cultural and ethnic differences. The contest also brought together different students to contribute to the project.
“After last year’s graffiti incident, we really wanted to raise acceptance within our school and community,” said sophomore ASB Clubs and Multicultural Commissioner Jenna Brownrout. “We were inspired to create this contest for students to paint the school in a positive way.”
The winning design is centered around a group of faces from different ethnicities. It also includes several white doves carrying the flags of different nations. These flags demonstrate the unity of mankind, despite the various physical regions and cultural differences that separate people.
“This design exemplifies the physical differences we have as humans,” said Plachta. “Our faces and bodies may look different, but we must learn to realize our great similarities and promote peace and unity with one another in this world we share.”
The mural is expected to be completed by the end of the 2011-2012 school year and will be displayed on campus for years to come.