By Amaya Mendoza
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Students at Missouri State University – West Plains (MSU-WP) began painting the previously vandalized blocks located on campus early Friday morning.
Justice Stanley, a local student aiming for a degree in wildlife biology, started the project.
“A friend of mine suggested that someone cover vandalism and make it pretty, so I thought, ‘hey, I could do that.’ I wasn’t actually planning on doing anything but when I was accepted, I was excited and nervous at the same time.”, she explained.
The intent of the mural is to keep the same message as the intent of the original. Both sides of the blocks state “Grizzlies Stronger Together”, and include different skin tones as the main point.
“MSU-WP has diversity within the student body and faculty”, she stated, “I feel like it is important to represent everyone who is part of the campus. It’s important to recognize what is happening in the world.”
The college was more than supportive throughout the entire process, according to the group. Almost all of SGA and Jared Cates, head of student life, loved the idea and started working on figuring out plans as soon as possible.
Priming began September 29. The murals were completed late that afternoon, after over seven hours of work, October 2. The student body worked diligently to create a mural that would encourage diversity, inclusion and acceptance on campus – while embracing the very statement that started it all: Black Lives Matter.
For more information about previous projects, about student life, or about educational programs offered by MSU-WP, visit the university’s website, wp.missouristate.edu.
