Mural Has Students Gushing Over School

If anyone ever had doubts about school spirit at Charles Blackstock Junior High in Oxnard, a new mural painted on the school’s facade has obliterated any uncertainty.

Featuring a computer, satellite dish and a copy of the seal of the U.S. Department of Education, the artwork reflects that the technologically advanced school won the department’s highest national award earlier this year.

And although students in February cheered the announcement that Blackstock had been chosen one of 266 National Blue Ribbon Schools, the mural has given students a new excuse to gush about the institution.

“It tells us that we are one of the best schools in the nation,” said eighth-grader Erica Ponce, 13, standing a few yards away from the mural where a colossal eagle fills the oval-shaped department seal.

Susan Price, 13, said the school wears its mural like a badge of honor that testifies to the student body’s studious bent.

“Everyone works hard here,” Susan said. “They are not like ordinary kids. They don’t come here just to hang out with their friends.”

After a long screening process, including visits by inspectors from the Department of Education, agency officials picked only two Ventura County schools for the award: Blackstock and Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park.

After receiving the honor, Blackstock Principal Robin Freeman said school officials decided to ask Oxnard artist Juan Solorzano to paint a commemorative mural as a way to spread the good news to the community.

“Now that it is out there, every car that passes the school sees the pride that we have,” Freeman said. “One lady called and said she just got goose bumps.”

With about 700 computers for some 1,000 students, Blackstock is considered a model school for technology; it received $2.5 million in government grants to buy its high-tech equipment, including CD-ROMs and video cameras.

“The technology has had a huge impact on the kids,” said Steve Carr, the school’s technology coordinator, giving reasons for the mural’s composition. “Not only have test scores and student achievement improved, but I’ve seen a big jump in the excitement and the motivation.”