HUNTINGTON BEACH : Youngsters Feel Pride in Colorful Job

To the Sowers Middle School art students who finished painting a temporary wall around a construction site here Monday, the frequent compliments from passersby had them high on pride.

“People tell us to keep up the good work, and the surfers pass by and say, ‘Go, little grom (kid),’ ” said Ryan Navarro, 12, as he painted a blue fish on the wall. “Painting this makes me feel really good inside, like we’re going down in history. And it’s cool because we get to help the city look pretty.”

Ryan and about 65 other seventh- and eighth-graders painted a colorful mural they call “Under the Sea.” It contains renderings of giant fish, octopuses, surfboards and a pier, and is part of an art project for class.

Art teacher Pam Daly said the lesson teaches her students how to paint on large surfaces instead of 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper. With all the kudos the students received from strangers, she said, “they’re building self-esteem and pride too.”

Team Construction, which is building a business complex at Main and Olive streets downtown, provided the plywood wall that encircles the project and the paint for the mural.

Michael Fein, spokesman for Team Construction, said the wall will come down before September, when the business complex is scheduled for completion, and parts will be donated to local museums and the Huntington Beach City School District.

“I think we should do more things like this because it makes it more festive down here,” said Amber Mayo, 13, as she painted purple polka dots on an octopus. “When I took the class, I didn’t think I would like it. But having people complimenting me makes me feel really proud.”

Eric Fizer, 13, said: “People are admiring our work. That makes you feel motivated to do better work.”

One passerby, Rod Neilson, brought smiles to the students’ faces as he walked by and said: “I like it. Looks sharp.”