ASPIRE students and staff relocate memorial mural

A memorial mural that stood in front of the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center will find a new home at Carson Valley Middle School.

The mural was established in 2009, created by the first class of ASPIRE Academy students, according to former Principal Miki Trujillo.

“The mural had to be relocated due to renovations at the museum and will be reestablished not 100 feet away on the Carson Valley Middle School side of the front lawn,” Trujillo said. “This project was born out of a grief journey during a time when a number of young people from our valley passed away over a short period of time.”

Trujillo said that there were 25 young people ages 10 to 25 who died over a five-year period.

“Back in 2009, the ASPIRE students wanted to create a mural to remember and honor these kids and their families and to provide a place of solace and hope for anyone experiencing grief,” she said. “Today, we want the families and friends of those represented on the mural to know that your loved ones are not forgotten.”

She invited family members and friends to a noon May 25 outdoor celebration ceremony at the Mural site.

“It is also important to note that the relocation of the mural would not have happened without the volunteer efforts of amazing humans within our community,” she said.

She thanked volunteer foreman and ASPIRE alum Frankie Benitez.

“Zack Kluever, another former student, and his wife, Maddy and sister, Baylee who repainted and refinished the mural to repair the fading of 12 years exposed to weather.”

Dan Luke of Luke Landscaping donated all landscaping materials and Isreal and Wendy Contreras of Heavy Duty Concrete and Pavers donated curbing.

Douglas County School District Superintendent Keith Lewis supported the relocation effort, along with Principals Gavin Ward, Nancy White and former ASPIRE Principal Marty Swisher. John Tobias of Buildings and Grounds Maintenance was instrumental in establishing the new site and preparing it for relocation, Trujillo said.

Current ASPIRE students and staff are creating messages of encouragement and a process for others to remember loved ones when visiting the mural.

Trujillo thanked the former ASPIRE students and staff who reached out when the mural was taken down with offers to aid the relocation effort.

“To all of you and those humble humans who were not mentioned, thank you,” she said.

She encouraged those would like more information to call 775-339-3010 for more information on the celebration.