On June 4, 2013, Rancho Santa Gertudes School held a dedication ceremony to commemorate the unveiling of a mural depicting the history of the Santa Fe Springs school. Principal Octavio Perez presided over the hour-long ceremony that was attended by all Los Nietos School District administration, members of the Heritage Artwork in Public Places Program, the Santa Fe Springs Historical Committee, and Rancho Santa Gertrudes staff, students, and parents. Principal Perez thanked the Heritage Artwork in Public Places Program for funding the grant that paid for the hiring of muralist Jeanine Hattas. In addition to thanking the Heritage Artwork in Public Places Program, Santa Fe Springs Historical Society, and muralist Jeanine Hattas, Mr. Perez had special words of thanks for staff Art Club advisors Monica Quiroz and Emily Coutant. Both Mrs. Quiroz and Mrs. Coutant led over 40 students in an afterschool art club that led the students through the history of Santa Fe Springs and the Los Nietos School District, and helped the students formulate ideas for the mural concept.
Members of the art club gave oral presentations about the history of Santa Fe Springs, the Los Nietos School District, and the history of Rancho Santa Gertrudes School. A particularly moving part of the ceremony was when students dedicated the mural to the memory of Rancho Santa Gertrudes student Nathalie Jimenez who tragically passed away this school year. Nathalie’s passing hit the Rancho Santa Gertrudes school community extremely hard as she was considered by all to be a shining star who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. Nathalie’s likeness was embedded in the mural as a girl reading to her friends in her favorite color, which was purple. Mr. and Mrs. Jimenez were in attendance to receive flowers from Nathalie’s classmates as well as the thoughts and prayers of the Rancho community. Final remarks were given by Superintendent Vasquez who thanked Principal Perez for his outstanding work in cultivating an atmosphere where such beautiful community artwork could take place. In addition, words of appreciation were given to the Jimenez family for allowing the mural to depict their daughter who will always be considered, “the very best that the Los Nietos School District and Rancho Santa Gertrudes had to offer”.
Jeanine Hattas who has created over 1,000 murals across the United States was able to complete the Rancho mural in about four days. The mural had four large revisions before the final concept for the mural was approved by the school district. Pictured are samples of the versions of the mural concept, the stages of Jeanine Hattas painting the mural at Rancho, and pictures of the dedication ceremony held on June 4, 2013.
Members of the art club gave oral presentations about the history of Santa Fe Springs, the Los Nietos School District, and the history of Rancho Santa Gertrudes School. A particularly moving part of the ceremony was when students dedicated the mural to the memory of Rancho Santa Gertrudes student Nathalie Jimenez who tragically passed away this school year. Nathalie’s passing hit the Rancho Santa Gertrudes school community extremely hard as she was considered by all to be a shining star who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. Nathalie’s likeness was embedded in the mural as a girl reading to her friends in her favorite color, which was purple. Mr. and Mrs. Jimenez were in attendance to receive flowers from Nathalie’s classmates as well as the thoughts and prayers of the Rancho community. Final remarks were given by Superintendent Vasquez who thanked Principal Perez for his outstanding work in cultivating an atmosphere where such beautiful community artwork could take place. In addition, words of appreciation were given to the Jimenez family for allowing the mural to depict their daughter who will always be considered, “the very best that the Los Nietos School District and Rancho Santa Gertrudes had to offer”.
Jeanine Hattas who has created over 1,000 murals across the United States was able to complete the Rancho mural in about four days. The mural had four large revisions before the final concept for the mural was approved by the school district. Pictured are samples of the versions of the mural concept, the stages of Jeanine Hattas painting the mural at Rancho, and pictures of the dedication ceremony held on June 4, 2013.