Students Discover That Murals Are More Than Meets The Eye

Avalon High School Student, Axxel Martinez enrolled in Murals For Motivation, sponsored by State Farm – Youth Advisory Board in February of 2012.  He was interested in getting his elective Service Learning Credits to round out his spring schedule, and work towards graduation.

What Axxel discovered during the mural process is that Axxel working on the small detailsthese murals are so much more than elective credits.  Each wall became a canvas where he could express his artistic talents. Currently, Axxel works with his uncle painting cars at an automotive painting company and has come to learn the importance of paying attention to the details.  A natural leader, and phenomenal teacher, Axxel has led a group of 5 other young men through the process with a heart of servant instruction.  Working along side his peers, he graciously suggests, guides and leads the team as to the nuances of painting. He speaks to them about the strokes, the lines, the depth of color and all the while, with a perfectionist eye, he steps back constantly to look at his work to get a different perspective, smiles for a moment and goes right back to work.

The beauty of the Service Learning component is that the students are able to see the validity of their contributions to the community, take ownership in the quality and the outcome of their work, and begin to step back and look at their own lives to get a different perspective.  They now see the possibilities available to them and can begin to paint a future with all the possibilities and hope of making a difference included in their life mural.

Axxel with his team of students at Rancho Dominguez Prep