Several former La Jolla High School students and their families are lamenting the planned removal of a mural on campus that commemorates the unfortunate and historic class of 2020.
The black-and-white mural, located on a wall within a building, features the names of nearly all the students who graduated that year, none of whom got the usual senior celebrations such as a prom, grad night or commencement ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had begun a few months before the class graduated.
As a result of a recent vote by the Parent Teacher Student Association, or PTSA, the mural is slated for removal so a new one can be painted in its place. A schedule for the replacement has not yet been established, nor has the image that will be created.
The existing mural “is very meaningful for the kids that worked so hard but got no celebration of their high school graduation,” said Grace Zimmerman, the parent of a class of 2020 student. “It’s such a shame that we could lose it. It was such a sad time to see kids work so hard and not be celebrated in any way, not due to their fault but because of the pandemic.
“This was a nice way to honor those kids. This is for the kids who ended their high school experience in an unprecedented way … and it’s a good message to those kids about moving on in spite of disappointment.”
But La Jolla High Principal Chuck Podhorsky said the mural is slated for removal because it has deteriorated and been defaced over the years and was “always intended as a temporary installation.”
“We understand how meaningful that mural was, especially for the class of 2020 — a group of students who faced unprecedented challenges during their senior year,” Podhorsky wrote in an email to parents. “The mural was one of many efforts to celebrate the class of 2020. … Unfortunately, over time, the mural began to deteriorate and it was brought to our attention that some names were missing. As it continued to be defaced, it became increasingly difficult to maintain its original integrity.”
Zimmerman, however, said “those are easy fixes.” Names can be corrected or added as needed, she said.
“That is part of maintaining a mural over time,” Zimmerman said. “It was just a simple historic memorial to the kids who graduated. It seems like a shame to have spent money on a mural that was so painstakingly done. … I can’t imagine them deciding to paint over it.”
Several of the class of 2020 said they also are disappointed in the decision to remove the mural.
“I find it incredibly disappointing that my high school, which prides itself on its rooted history and legacy, has decided after only five years to erase the only thing the class and parents can walk away with,” said Royce Epperson, who was scheduled to give a speech at the 2020 graduation ceremony had there been one.
“We were stripped of all senior activities. … This is the only thing I was happy with. I thought it was nice and warm,” Epperson said. “This will be relevant for years to come, so I’m disappointed.”
Paige Rogge said that when her class wasn’t given a graduation ceremony, “it felt like we had been forgotten.” But when the mural went up, “it felt comforting and that they hadn’t forgotten ,” she said.
Now, faced with losing the mural, she said “I am pretty bummed about it. … It feels like we are being forgotten again.”
Maxine McInerney said “I feel like I gave my heart and soul to that school. I loved my teachers and being on [the Associated Student Body] for two years and playing lacrosse. But me and some of my friends were devastated to not have a graduation.”
She said she hopes there will be “something to commemorate that class,” whether it be the existing mural or one that might replace it.
Podhorsky said there are no plans to create another mural for the class of 2020, though a high-resolution photo of the existing mural will be “displayed in the main office hallway as part of our historical archive, alongside other defining moments in La Jolla High School’s history.”
“Please know that the class of 2020 continues to hold a special and permanent place in the heart of our school’s story,” Podhorsky added. “Their strength, resilience and accomplishments will always be ed and honored.” ♦
