Spirit Group The Inferno Inspires Creation of Mural
New student mural portrays the flames that burn bright in RHS’ Inferno. The design was meant to add some color to the once white wall with images of flames and pillars to give the feeling that as people enter the gym, they enter “The Inferno.” –Adam Bensimhon
October 25, 2012
Did you notice something new giving spirit to a certain hallway this year? The new Inferno mural was designed by senior Antiena Nguyen and painted over the summer by students who were supervised by Photography Teacher Lisa Ryan.
The Inferno is a school spirit group that brings enthusiasm and excitement to RHSa�� athletic events and involves students from all four grades. Members often do class activities, such as “whiteouts” where the students will wear all white to show their excitement for an upcoming school athletic event. “[The mural] will go great with the Inferno and it will show the school united as one” said senior Inferno member Owen Taylor.
Athletic Director Michael Hayes brought the idea of a mural being painted at the gym entrance to Ryan at the end of last year. Ryan then gave the task of creating a design concept to her AP Studio/Photography students. The final design was a result of a brainstorming session.
Once the idea was approved by Principal Dr. Debra Munk, the students did an AP Studio class project to create a design. The Inferno was chosen as the theme and after debating for days about the general design, flames and pillars were agreed upon. However, the actual placement of the images was still in question. After days of debating the final design, a slightly expressionist style was chosen. It included basketballs, flames and pillars.
Before the mural was painted by twelfth grade seniors Kayla Mancuso, Rachel Kuipers, Jacob Holzman, Megan Rider, Feriell Hayton and supervisor Ryan, the wall was plain, white and colorless. Once the mural was painted, however, the flames over and around the basketballs in the mural brought spirit to the entrance of the gym. “I was obsessed with the Olympics, so I love [the torch design],” said 10 grade sophomore Katie Aceto.
A light outline of the design was drawn onto the walls where the mural was to be placed. The artists painted the outline and by the end of the summer their work was done. The first day of the school, everyone noticed the mural and the artists’ work definitely sparked some attention. “I’m honored; it’s cool knowing that I literally left my mark on the school,” said Nguyen.
