We began in September 2008. We were told by our teacher, Colonel Johnson, that we would do Public Achievement this year. We decided that for a topic we wanted to see changes in our school. Therefore, we wrote a list of ideas of things that needed improvement. Once we agreed on beautifying Humboldt, we needed to get our ideas down into one project. We decided on a mural on our pillar and to put benches outside to make the school more comfortable and friendly looking. At semester change, we were surprised that we lost 4 students from our group and new ones were put in. We also hit another road block when we found out that the University of MN already had plans for the school grounds. For a few weeks, we were down, because we did not think we could go through with our plans. After attending a few site council meetings and talking with our principal, we realized that the school was on our side. We pushed forward with the project!

The wall needed a lot of TLC before we coupld paint it!

The only thing holding us back is that we had no supplies (or money!). We had been so focused on all of the changes we experienced, that we did not get around to addressing fundraising. 

In February, our coach, Caritza, told us that PeaceJam would be held on the West Side. We decided to try to work with them to get our project done. They agreed, and our school was a chosen as site for service during the PeaceJam celebration.

It was many different shades of beige because it was tagged on so often.

Two weeks before we were set to start working, our principal told us that the pillar we planned to paint would be imploded. He offered us a 250-foot wall in its place. In the meantime, we were happy to receive contact from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Changing Landscapes. They were pleased to know that one of the ideas that they were going to carry out was the mural that we were doing. They offered to work with us to get the changes to the school made that we wanted.  

Painting on PeaceJam day

Quentin Perry, a local artist and Humboldt graduate, had been attending the meetings. He offered to help us design the new space we were given. Since our old design was now too small, we had to think of more ideas. Our principal suggested that we include next year’s curriculum. Since we are an environmental school, our design focused on the environment and school pride. youthrive, the company that puts on PeaceJam in the Midwest, purchased us paints and brushes. We primed the wall and patched it up the week before Spring Break. On PeaceJam Day, we had asked for 20 volunteers. We were shocked when 50 volunteers got off of a school bus and looked to us for work. Because we weren’t expecting that many people, we didn’t know what they should all do. We got through that cold and cloudy day with just a few things done and a lot of work left. 

The end of the school year was coming fast. We had started this big project and we had to get it done. We stayed after school with our coach or teacher 2-3 times per week, sometimes into the evening. All of the work was hand painted by us – no stencils or spray paint was used! After 2 months of hard work, we finally finished painting. We had a small event to publicly present the mural. St. Paul Public School Board member Elona Street-Stewart, City Councilmember Dave Thune, Center for Changing Landscape’s Derek

Giving final walk through

Johnson, and Public Achievement creator Dennis Donnovan attended. We explained our work in walk through way. 

Now, after completing our project, we are proud to say that we are done and that we have put in our part in changing Humboldt. From this, I have learned that finishing a project is not always easy, but if you set yourself to it you can get it done!