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Every five to six years the Payson High counseling office receives a little extra money to add something to the office; sometimes it is furniture or a set of updated computers. This year they wanted to add something meaningful. Mrs. Benson said, Something that will set us apart from other schools, it
doesn t matter whether you go to Salem or stay here at Payson, we have always been, and will always be the mighty lions. And with that Matt Judd and Katie Bott started to play Scotland the Brave on their bagpipes as Mr. Wright and Mr. Lundell started to pull down the black plastic covering the wall. Underneath the plastic was an amazing mural.
The first thing that demanded my attention was a lion lying by a rock and a giant tree. There were also four other lions in the mural. In the background I saw P-Mountain.
The artist, Josephine Elkins, took a moment to explain the symbolism behind the painting. There are three elements in the painting, first the tree; it represents education with all of its different branches. The rock represents my belief in God, who I give credit to for my talent, it also represents strength. The lion represents pride and family; in this case a school family. Each part is a piece of the whole. The three panels represent past, present and future.
Josephine has been working on the acrylic painting for the past three months. She has been working closely with the counseling office, especially Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Hall. I think it s been a great experience, said Elkins, I m really grateful for the opportunity.
Mr. Lundell, counselor at Payson High, said this about the mural, Art work has the ability to alter our moods and feelings. This mural promotes an environment where students can feel safe and think about their past present, and future actions. It is an amazing addition to our office.
Teachers had no idea what was going on, they received cryptic messages for about a week. Counselors were dropping hints right and left about a new surprise in the counseling office. When the day finally rolled around, the counseling office was packed with students and teachers alike.
Counselors welcomed everyone in, and invited them to have some punch and cookies; their faces were glowing with excitement for the St. Patrick s Day surprise.
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Golf is a game in which one endeavors to control a ball with implements ill adapted for the purpose. -- Woodrow Wilson
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They say practice makes perfect. Of course, it doesn't. For the vast majority of golfers it merely consolidates imperfection. -- Henry Longhurst |
