Evergreen Park Students Create Science-Themed Mural

As students return to Evergreen Park Community High School, they will be greeted by a new mural that beautifully merges art and science. A group of students dedicated their summer break to completing this project. Ava Chandler, a senior passionate about both art and science, initiated the idea when she noticed a lack of science murals in the school. Along with art teacher Tom Guerra, she gathered support from fellow students to bring the concept to life.

Chandler expressed, “I’m a huge science person and thought combining science and art would be fascinating. It’s about exploring the origins and connections between different scientific disciplines.” The mural features elements from the periodic table, images of Sir Isaac Newton, scientific equations, and an evolutionary timeline from fish to a person with a briefcase. It also includes a DNA helix, a dinosaur, and an asteroid, making it a comprehensive representation of science.

Juliana Bosch, a recent graduate now heading to DePaul University to study character design, shared her enjoyment of chemistry and how substances interact. “We wanted precision in every detail to ensure the mural’s accuracy,” she stated. Bosch also valued the group collaboration, highlighting their shared love for art.

The mural became a reality due to the efforts of students like Ava Chandler, Izabella Rodriguez-Acevedo, Jax Olson, Juliana Bosch, Natalia Mosely, Danny Sommerio, and Wilbur Smith. Rodriguez-Acevedo, another rising senior, reminisced about her childhood love for painting and how this project intertwined her interests in art and science. Participants like Jax Olson, Mosely, Sommerio, and Smith also contributed significantly. The project received financial support from an EPCHS Foundation grant, with Rob Rymek, an industrial technology teacher, building the mural’s frame.

Art teacher Tom Guerra, an alumnus who once painted a mural as a student, was thrilled to mentor the students. “It felt like coming full circle, helping and guiding them,” he said. Guerra emphasized that art students often lack the recognition athletes receive, and this mural allowed them to shine and leave a lasting mark on the school.

Guerra concluded, “It was a meaningful way for them to gain recognition and make their presence felt.” The new mural stands as a testament to the students’ dedication to both art and science.