EQUAL. Spurred on by the election on Nov. 8, seniors, Brooke Baker and Sarita Evans formulate the idea of The Wall. After explaining their idea to a few friends they made a plan to stay after school to make the posters to hang. “People were sad and scared and we just wanted to make sure people weren’t forgetting those who were demoralized by what Trump has said. We wanted to do something that was less controversial,” said Baker.

art rooms to paint posters for The Wall. Over twenty students stayed after, filtering in and out of the room to help craft The Wall. “The purpose of the wall was to draw attention to social issues and spread positivity and I think that’s really important right now” said Stephanie Mather, 12.

LOVE. Evans works on the groups biggest poster which they want to hang in the commons. After setting up The Wall in the science hallway and having it approved by administrators students were able to hang up their biggest poster in the commons for everyone to see at lunch. “Many students and faculty members have expressed how much they appreciate the posters and what they represent, and that’s exactly why we made it. I think the wall built a strong sense of pride for all who contributed and those who received the message we intended” said Mather.

HOPE. The girls face harsh criticism for putting Black Lives Matter posters on The Wall. Despite not agreeing with having to remove the signs, the students did, hoping to work with the administration to come to a compromise about the posters. “I was pretty angry when the posters were taken down because it sends the message to people that the BLM movement is controversial and it shouldn’t be perceived that way. I strongly believe that saying “black lives matter” should not be detestable” said Mather.

UNITY. Despite facing negative comments on social media, the group continues to promote what they intended the wall to stand for. They have received support from many other students, faculty, and members of the administration. “Whether it continues as a wall or transforms into different projects, these ideas need to keep being spread,” said Mather.