Student and artist Jayda Grunewald and Alexandra Middle School principal Todd Samuelson in front of the mural. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Marked with a mural

Graduating student leaving a legacy at Alexandra Middle School

Jul 5, 2021 | 4:32 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Jayda Grunewald spent a lot of time in the principal’s office in recent weeks.

But she wasn’t in any trouble.

Jayda was putting her artistic talents to work, creating a mural to both spruce up Todd Samuelson’s office and represent the school’s core values of integrity, respect and courage.

“I thought it was really cool and it was a big responsibility and I didn’t know if I could actually do it,” she said. “I just thought it was really cool that a Grade 9 was asked to do a mural for the school.”

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

Dec 14, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

The three core values of the school are prominent on the right side of the mural. On the left is a large “A” for Alexandra and in the middle is a flying jayhawk, the school’s mascot.

Jayda says the idea of how to put it all together just came to her and she really likes how it turned out. And she’s not the only one.

“People tell me how amazing it is and that they love it,” she said. “I personally I’m just like ‘yeah my art’s fine.’ But when people tell me how amazing it is it just feels really good so I’m like yeah it’s pretty cool.”

Principal Samuelson agrees.

“I love it. I think Jayda did a great job of capturing the values, the work that will did all year to come up with those three core values, those words,” he says. “And then also put a little spin on our jayhawk mascot which we’re also proud of. I think it’s amazing.”

The mural is behind his desk, improving his background for Zoom meetings, and is a continual reminder of the school’s three core values established this year.

“I wanted something in my office that really spoke to the importance of respect, courage and integrity and for me it was really important to have a student represent that,” Samuelson said. “Jayda was the perfect choice to represent the student body.”

Next year Jayda will be a member of the Medicine Hat High School student body.

But the time she spent at Alexandra won’t ever be forgotten by her or future students and staff.

“A lot of people have told me like ‘this is really cool because you’re going to have this legacy at Alexandra when you leave doing a mural,’” she said. “So I think it’s a really cool opportunity to have and that I’ll be known for doing this mural in this school.”

Jayda hopes to become a teacher and says she’d like to one day teach at Alexandra.