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Former student creates a mural at Bonsall West Elementary School

Former Bonsall West Elementary school student Colin Ericson began his Eagle Scout project April 2 by planning and installing a new mural at the elementary school based on the "Leader in Me" program.

A member of Troop 789, Ericson spent a total of 56 hours working on completing this project, and he also enlisted the help of multiple volunteers from Boy Scouts to help. The project took Ericson and his volunteers a total of 155 hours to complete.

After Ericson's former teacher, Sergio Guzman, approached him about doing his Eagle Scout project at the school, Ericson was determined to design a mural that would make a lasting impact on the students.

"I have a sister who is in her last year at Bonsall West, so I felt like I should leave something behind," said Ericson. "When Mr. Guzman approached me about doing my Eagle Scout project at the school, I instantly said yes."

Ericson has been a Boy Scout for seven years, and he said his greatest lesson learned from the organization has been how to lead effectively and how to accomplish goals no matter the circumstance.

Ericson will be reviewed by the Eagle Board and interviewed to determine if he will become an Eagle Scout, May 27. In order to become an Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts must complete the Eagle Scout Service project which is a leadership project completed in order to benefit a school, religious institution, or community. So Ericson chose to complete a mural at the school as his project.

Guzman, a sixth grade teacher at Bonsall West, said he was proud to see a project as big as this one accomplished during such a challenging time.

"Due to COVID, it has been much harder to find acceptable activities/projects that follow the acceptable protocol upheld by the District and the community," said Guzman. "This was nice to see fulfilled, as it brought back some normalcy to what has been an otherwise challenging year."

According to Guzman, the Leader in Me is a leadership program that the school adopted last year and began to promote this year. It allows student-led, student-run activities where they take the reins and have complete ownership of their projects and activities.

Ericson's mural incorporates the seven habits of the Leader in Me program. In the front area of the school, there are seven puzzle pieces painted different colors that list the seven habits. The large ocean mural incorporates a lighthouse as a beacon of light for young leaders, and Ericson painted the explanations of each habit glimmering across the ocean horizon. The seven habits and explanations are:

Habit 1: Be Proactive (You're in Charge)

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind (Have a Plan)

Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play)

Habit 4: Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win)

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood (Listen Before You Talk)

Habit 6: Synergize (Together Is Better)

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best)

Guzman said that the mural has received lots of positive feedback from staff and students.

"Some of our staff members that remember Colin from his days at our school, expressed pride and gratitude that one of our own wanted to come back and help beautify the school," said Guzman. "It also animated a lot of students that have been completing most of their school work from behind a monitor in their homes. Now they can see, they too will be called on to complete the next 'Best' thing at our school!"

Guzman hopes that the students will learn from Ericson and his project, and they will become motivated to complete similar projects that others will benefit from.

"I hope that students will be motivated to step up and carry the torch soon! This is not our first big project, and it won't be the last," said Guzman. "It always brings a smile to my face when I see the Old School and the New School kids working together for one common goal: making our school the best it can be, while empowering the community, the families, and the students to take on that ownership and responsibility! Inspiring young minds is the best gift ever."

Although Ericson has never studied art nor does he consider himself an artist, he said that it was important for him to design the piece and apply himself to the challenge. Ericson has recently graduated early from Mission Vista High School, and he plans to attend the University of Arizona in the fall.

Ericson hopes that the Leader in Me mural will help to inspire the students to continue growing and becoming strong leaders.

"I hope that the mural brings the school a constant reminder of the potential of our country's future generations," said Ericson.

 

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