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She wears a grey baggy shirt, brown shorts and yellowing Air Force 1s. She and her friends have been here for hours; she just wants to go home and take a nap. As she picks up a paintbrush and dips it in black paint, she decides she is determined to finish this project.
At Robinson, one vibrant wall may stand out against the white walls of the school this year. Since August, senior Millay Kral has been working on a mural for Robinson’s brand-new campus.
The process had begun long before the start of the school year. Kral first wanted to take on the project over two years ago, before construction even started. After many conversations with Principal David Brown, the project became a reality.
“It [the project] has definitely been a learning experience. When I first proposed the idea to Principal Brown, he wasn’t hesitant to say yes. The only thing he was worried about was the construction of the new building,” Kral said. “The planning was somewhat difficult because of this. Mr. Brown didn’t know when I would be able to get into the school to paint, but he was very helpful and without him, I don’t think this project would have been possible.”
The idea first came across Kral as she wanted to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. Although she is not on a troop, she was up for the challenge as she wanted to give back to the community through expressing her creativity.
“I painted the mural to earn my Girl Scout Gold Award. It’s the same thing as an Eagle Scout but for Girl Scouts instead. I’m not technically in a troop, but I was still able to do it. I knew that I wanted to do something that included art and I came up with the idea of painting a mural. I always see really cool ones when I go to St. Pete or whenever I travel,” Kral said.
The purpose of the mural is to spread positivity throughout Robinson and its surrounding community. Through her four years at Robinson, Kral expresses how the diversity of the school has allowed her to find her second family. She wishes that the mural would do the same for students in the future.
“I wanted to create something that everyone could relate to and be part of and something that everyone could see themselves in. We should be celebrating all of our differences and achievements. Robinson is full of so many talented people,” Kral added.
The project couldn’t have been done alone. When Kral got the “okay” to start the project, she called in her friends as reinforcements. Isabel Alonso (’24) was one of many who helped Kral complete her project.
“I really enjoyed working with Millay on the mural. I remember her telling me a while ago about the gold award, and what she planned to accomplish in order to receive it,” Alonso said. “When she started, she brought a few of us to work together and it was a lot of fun. It has been very enjoyable to see what Millay has been able to accomplish.”
While collaborating with others on the mural was Kral’s favorite part of the project, the most memorable experience to her would still be seeing people’s genuine reactions when they spot the mural. She voices how she loves seeing students’ faces light up from something she and her friends has created.
“It’s almost like watching someone open a gift you got them that they previously said they wanted and you remembered,” Kral said. “I don’t really know how to describe it. It just brings me joy knowing that people are able to feel seen and that the mural is able to put a smile on someone’s face.”
Kral emphasized that there will be future projects as the for the Robinson Mural Project is now a club at the school. If you are interested in joining, there is a QR code next to the mural in the science building.
“I think people should join the RHS Mural Club because you become a part of something that makes the school a better place and allows you to make a long lasting impact on the school. You will always be able to come back and see the art you helped make which is really cool,” said Amelia Kempton (’24), another friend who helped Kral complete the project.
