What’s Cool Behind the School

That eyesore at the back of the high school next to the tennis courts is no more.

Not after the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) got done with it.

On the new and improved patio area now sits a few picnic tables, benches, trees and decorative mulch, all garnished with a several plants. Two banners are going up on the school, one a mural and the other to thank business sponsors who helped support the cause.

“We had a chance to make it our own,” said junior Chloe Kwiat, a member of the NAHS.

The outdoor redecorating job has been one of art teacher Terra Chmielewski’s goals for some time. She was ecstatic three years ago when the school dug out the black mold and replaced it with gravel and crushed volcano rock. She wanted to take it a step farther.

Students wrote letters asking area companies for help, and Kohl's came through with a $1,500 Go Green grant. Sentry gave $400 and Home Depot $100. Another $100 came from the high school’s Art Guild.

On Tuesday, students went to work, weeding, painting and decorating flower pots. They found duck eggs under one shrub and left them alone, thinking mother will soon return and tend to her collection.

“There’s a lot of people who stayed here the whole day,” said Kwiat.

Students have noticed the landscaping work.

“The courtyard was a drag,” said senior Kelsey Traindl, member of the NAHS Executive Board.

“It was, like, moldy mud,” said senior Lauren Peterson.

“And now it will be nice to come out here and see it,” said junior Emma Brose.

Peterson, junior Mazie Krahn and sophomore Jill Schweiss painted on the banner-shaped mural. Chmielewski requested sunflowers and brought in photos as a guide.

“I hope it stays,” Schweiss said.

Much of the community will see it.

“This is used so much by the community. You would not believe how much traffic goes through here,” said Chmielewski. “Just as busy as the front of school is.”

Chmielewski got picnic tables from Craig’s List and rented a U-Haul to pick them up in Muskego. Flower pots came from a spring break trip to IKEA in Illinois.

A dedication is planned for Wednesday, May 16, along with initiation into the NAHS and the opening of the exhibit by Advanced Placement art students. Festivities start at 6:30 in the courtyard and include refreshments.