Sage Merrill-Exton, a sixth-grader at Pagosa Springs Middle School during the 2024-2025 school year, designed and painted a mural at Pagosa Springs Elementary School (PSES) as part of her Girl Scout Silver Award project, as well as a class project focused on her recognition as a leader in and out of the classroom.
The project also provided an opportunity for other students to be part of a collaborative approach to community-based art and develop a sense of ownership in their school.
The mural, which depicts a nature scene, was painted on a wall inside PSES for elementary students to observe while traveling between classes. Near the bottom of the painting a quote by Juliette Gordon Low is inscribed: “The work of today is the history of tomorrow and we are its makers.”
Merrill-Exton began the process by meeting with PSES administrative staff to seek approval for the installation.
Students attending the Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI) after-school program helped bring this idea to life through brainstorming and participation in the actual painting of the mural.
Rebecca Tenpenny, executive director at PCI, was instrumental in supporting Merrill-Exton through the process.
