CITY TERRACE : Mural Honors Youth of Mexico, Eastside

A new mural at City Terrace Elementary School depicts an event in Mexico’s history in which six young cadets gave their lives to defend their country. But it also honors today’s children who risk their lives, sometimes just getting to school each day.

Los Ninos Heroes del Este Los Angeles, painted by students at the Academia de Art Yepes, is based on an 1847 battle in which 13- to 20-year-old Mexican Army cadets died in a battle against the U.S. Army. The date that “Los Ninos Heroes” died, Sept. 13, is celebrated throughout Mexico.

Now the school’s 450 students will be studying the Mexican War battle with the help of the 10-by-20-foot canvas mural that hangs in the auditorium. The bright, sweeping colors show the cadets in cameos above a collage of City Terrace sites, including St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, the City Terrace Elementary School and children who are composites of the school’s students.

“The challenge was how to update (the history) to present day,” said artist George Yepes, who runs the free art academy at Salesian High that enrolls 60 students from throughout the county. “The kids have to be heroes to make it to school and get back. They’re the heroes of today.”

The idea for the mural came from parents and students and members of the City Terrace Coordinating Council, which for seven years has recognized those who have contributed to the community through its annual Ninos Heroes Award. Former recipients include Los Angeles Unified School District Board Chairwoman Leticia Quezada and Assistant Superintendent Ruben Zacarias.

“These are the heroes of today,” Gloria Chavez, president of the coordinating council, said of the school’s students. “Our children will know that there’s something they can do, and they don’t have to get killed in the gangs.”

As the mural was unveiled Tuesday to about 200 youngsters, several gasped and then wildly applauded. Some whistled and stood to cheer.

“It’s beautiful,” said Julia Quiros, 10, who attended the unveiling with her fifth-grade class.

The mural project, which included meetings with parents, children and community members over the summer, has taught many about the historical event.

Among those who admitted to knowing little about the “Heroes” was Principal Dennis Martinez. He told the students that awards ceremonies, graduations and other important events that take place at the school will be accompanied by the towering mural on the auditorium stage.

“Our school has received something very, very wonderful and it’s something that we’ll be studying all year long,” Martinez said. “And when you’re all grown up, you’ll be able to come back and see it.”

He watched as the children walked up to the mural after the presentation with their teachers to get a closer look.

“The fundamental aspects of the mural are the children and they’re declared the new heroes because they are going to continue their education,” Martinez said.