Todd V. Wolfson

Best Hues to Huge Heroes

Bedichek Middle School's Murals

Consider the four primary-paletted murals at Bedichek Elementary (Home of the Bobcats!) as kind of a "BOA" from kids. The project was part of the school's after-care program, Citizen Schools' Expanded Learning Time. Four community heroes (not often credited with their place in Austin's progress) each have their own wall on a portable that faces the front drive of the main entrance, and each mural extols virtues exemplified by the folks honored: performer, playwright, and artist Aralyn Hughes (creativity and joy), author and activist Raul Salinas (vision, knowledge), homeless guardian and chef Nubian Queen Lola Stephens (resilience, community, and service), and pioneering Texas naturalist (and school namesake) Roy Bedichek (leadership and respect).

Bedichek Middle School
6800 Bill Hughes, 512/414-3265
archive.austinisd.org/schools/website.phtml?id=025

Citizen Schools
2700 Southwest Freeway, Ste. B, Houston, 713/529-4006
www.citizenschools.org/texas

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