Madison Reporter

La Follette High School's corridors have been transformed with new graffiti-style murals, bringing a burst of color and energy to the once plain walls. The vibrant artworks, featuring shades of blue, red, orange, green, purple, and pink, reflect the influence of the students who participated in their creation.

Student involvement was crucial in shaping these murals. Members of the Student Council and various school clubs collaborated with the administration to select key design elements from vendor samples. Their input determined not only the content but also where each mural would be located within the school. Now adorning the halls is a city skyline alongside banners crafted by student clubs.

Central to this artistic overhaul is the SOUL mural—an emblem representing Strength, Opportunity, Unity, and Leadership. This new mantra replaces an older "Pride" slogan and has become a defining feature of La Follette's culture, visible in classroom posters and daily activities.

Principal Mathew Thompson expressed his support for the project: “Our students deserve a beautiful place to go to school, and the community delivered for them.”

The initiative extends beyond aesthetics; it offered students practical learning opportunities in creative problem solving and teamwork as they engaged in decision-making processes. By seeing their ideas materialize on school walls, students learned how they can impact their environment.

Looking ahead, La Follette plans further installations including fully student-created murals. There are even discussions about involving feeder schools in contributing artwork to La Follette’s walls.

These changes demonstrate a commitment to fostering an inspiring and inclusive atmosphere at La Follette High School—a space continuously shaped by its students' creativity and growth.