Every day, dozens of students take their seats in F12, English teacher Krissy Rasmussen’s classroom. However, what many students ignore is the 4×8 mural hanging behind Rasmussen’s desk. A hand-painted depiction of forested mountains, this mural—and other artwork—reminds Rasmussen of past students.

     “This [mural] was actually done by Mr. [Blain] Willard’s daughter, Ally,” said Rasmussen. “I came in on Monday, and it was completed, and she surprised me with it.”

     In fact, this mural is in the spirit of one of Rasmussen’s favorite writers, Edward Abbey. Known for his environmental writing, his work is an important aspect of Rasmussen’s AP Language & Composition curriculum. So, in the spirit of their nature unit, Ally gifted the painting to Rasmussen. However, the mural may not be finished.

     “It was done right before Covid, so I don’t know,” said Rasmussen. “She and I just never talked about [whether] there was supposed to be something else to it because it felt complete to me.”

     Ultimately, however beautiful it may be, Rasmussen values the mural most for what it represents: the connection to students.

     “The mural by Ally was a gift for a unit that was really important to me,” said Rasmussen. “And then it also became a piece of history at West that I remember very clearly.”