Rolling Meadows High School students 'taking back' mural hit by vandals

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (WLS) -- It took months for the Rolling Meadows High School art club to design and complete their mural at the Kirchhoff Road underpass.

The 92-foot mural depicts all the various recreational activities at the Rolling Meadows Park District.

"Our goal was to just build something for the community, something that people could pass by and enjoy," said RMHS student Jackie Sanchez.

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But last month, the park district discovered the mural was vandalized with spray paint. It is unclear what message, if any, the vandals were trying to send.

"I just don't understand how anyone could get any kind of good feeling out of damaging something that meant so much to the students and the entire community," said Rolling Meadows Park District Executive Director Kevin Romejko.

Art club students worked on the mural from April through June as a joint project with the school and park district.

"We have done a lot to this and it's really hard to see how much work you put into and someone just wrecks it," said RMHS student Christina Tsvetkova.

The work of art celebrates the diversity of the community, with images of the activities the residents engage in in each of the four seasons.

"Diversity is something we have here and we wanted to make sure that is reflected in our artwork," Sanchez said.

Now, students are showcasing the strength of that diversity by coming back together and bringing their vision back to life.

"When I came to see for myself and take pictures, I was kind of crushed," said RMHS art teacher Martha Nava. "I wanted to take that and empower my students to take it back."

The students are learning not to allow anyone to stifle their creativity.

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"They're just a bunch of resilient young individuals, which is so great to see," Romejko said. "I think it says a lot," Sanchez said. "I am actually really proud, our classmates, our club coming back."

Rolling Meadows Park District officials said they are looking for solutions to prevent vandals from striking there again.

The school has opened the painting process to the community, with painting hours continuing Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers who are interested can contact Rolling Meadows Park District at kschwartzhoff@rmparks.org.