Not long ago, the bland gray wall that now lines the lunch area was a canvas bursting with vibrant, jubilant colors, showcasing a mural of Warde’s culture and history. Even more remarkable? It was student-made. Teachers recall that lively wall standing proudly for over a decade. Now, all that’s left is the Warde Mustang logo—you know, the one plastered across every corner of campus, from hallways to gym doors. Sure, some might argue that the mural’s paint was peeling and the art was dated, but dismissing it outright misses the point. It gave our school personality. It turned an otherwise monotonous space into something special, a little piece of uniqueness that told students, “Once upon a time, Fairfield Warde High School had a sense of identity.”
Yes, we still see efforts here and there to recognize our diverse community. The ASL (American Sign Language) classes hang stock images on bulletin boards during Deaf Awareness Month, and the Hispanic Heritage Club fills the halls with music during their events. But remember the flags that used to hang in the front hallways? The ones representing the many cultures that make up Fairfield? They disappeared quietly over the past year. Did you notice? Probably not. And yet, their absence feels significant. Those flags were a small but meaningful gesture—a warm acknowledgment of the diverse communities in our school. Why were they taken down? I truly can’t think of a good reason. I can only hope the administration decides to bring them back, though I also hope it’s not just a shallow attempt to cover up how efforts to make students feel welcome have been fading year by year.
It might seem trivial to complain about something like a mural or a few flags. I get that. But it’s part of a bigger picture, especially when the school is cutting other programs that actually mattered to students. Remember the Mental Health Monday homeroom calls? Or the monthly advisory periods that gave us 30 minutes to step out of our “screenager” routines and actually connect with our classmates? Those are gone now too.
This new school year already feels weighed down with challenges, but the least we can do is bring some pride back to Warde—real pride, not just another plastic red horse slapped on a wall.