Longwood Art Students Paint Mural For Class Of 2021

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY—For Longwood High School seniors, the pandemic affected so many staples of high school life, from prom to graduation. One art teacher at the school saw a chance for the Class of 2021 to feel united in the face of this year's challenges, by creating a mural at a local business. The mural, celebrating this year's graduating class, was created this week at Meltology in Middle Island.

"The owner Kevin Muller was amazing allowing my students to design the theme of their choice," art teacher Jill Lewis told Patch.

"The pandemic has struck this class hard...not allowing some students to see their peers and childhood friends walk in unison. Some students have not even seen one another since March of 2019."

The art students Lewis teaches at Longwood High School's Night School Program (LAP) know Meltology well, she says.

It's "a place where many Longwood students hang out and congregate—it is a staple in the community. Kevin graduated from Longwood and keeps many relations with students, teachers and other staff from the Longwood Community. My students wanted to give back to him. Seeing the windows painted for the class brings smiles of joy to the faces of all who walk into the restaurant and a great sense of pride of a job well done."

Lewis and her students painted the windows at the grilled cheese restaurant last year for the winter holidays and this time the students had a chance to create their own concept and artwork design.

"It also unified the class and reminds them that even with the pandemic they can walk knowing they succeed, are strong and are truly in this together, forever."