By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Two 8’x 16’ murals will be installed at the two NRHEG school sites this week as part of a project funded by “Finly’s Wings at Work,” a local charity founded by Erin and Nick Budach in memory of their daughter, Finly, who would have been a member of this year’s sixth-grade class. Their non-profit organization receives donations from area individuals and groups, then channels them to benefit the students and communities of the NRHEG district. Donations include scholarships for graduating seniors, support for special events, school supplies, and much more.
The nearly identical murals center around an image of a panther and feature word art reminding students of the many positive personal traits their education at NRHEG is meant to help them nurture. At the elementary site, the mural will be installed in the cafeteria; at the secondary site it will be on a wall in the open area near the south entrance of the high school gym.
According to NRHEG superintendent Michael Meihak, the inspirational art has been in the works since last fall, when a $10,000 donation from Finly’s Wings was received; a major part of the funding has gone toward advancing school safety. The “positive outlook” murals were selected in response to a request from the Budach family that some of the funds be used to advance school spirit.
“We put a high priority on honoring that request,” comments Meihak. “We went looking for something that would be visually attractive and also serve as a reminder that we should all make positive contributions to the mood and atmosphere of the school, whether it’s during the day or while taking part in an after-school activity.”