Saint Peter Public Schools

When walking into Saint Peter High School is often one of the first things that catches people’s eyes. The flags, located at the top of the staircase near the media center entrance, are a product of SPHS’s newly spruced-up Diversity Center, which visually represents the various cultures of the student body. Additionally, a flower mosaic mural has been added outside of the Diversity Center, celebrating the artistry and talent of SPHS students. John Warren, SPHS Equity Coordinator and social studies teacher, has helped lead and facilitate these projects and shares about the process and purpose of the flags and mosaic.

(SHOWN ABOVE) The new flag display at SPHS is located across the hall at the SPPS Diversity Center and near the media center entrance.

The flags represent a variety of cultures, including the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Somalia, and multiple tribal groups. “The wall the flags hang on was big and empty, and because of its visibility as being one of the first things people see when they enter the building, we chose to place the flags there so that students and staff could see themselves represented.”, Mr. Warren commented, regarding the location of the flags. 

SPHS values uplifting the many cultures and backgrounds students come from, and hanging the flags in a common space, students, staff, and visitors alike can openly appreciate the community’s diversity. Mr. Warren mentioned that there are plans to expand the flags in the future, including those from African and Scandinavian cultures. 

In addition to the flags, the flower mosaic mural also has great cultural significance and representation. Mr. Warren shares how this project came to be, “I asked Eva Hendrickson (SPHS art teacher) about creating a piece of art because I was inspired to do a permanent art statement that spoke to our diversity. She decided to use her 3D art class and make the mosaic a project for them.” 

According to Eva Hendrickson, “Each student crafted a mosaic flower on a 12”×12” panel, choosing a bloom that spoke to their story—some reached for a cherished favorite, while others selected a flower rooted in their cultural heritage. These individual blossoms came together as a shared garden, a vibrant mosaic mural of color and identity that mirrors the diversity and collective beauty of our student body.” 

It is evident that the mosaic holds great significance for the students who created it, and it is incredibly meaningful that the school is featuring their cultures and artistic talents. 

(BELOW) The mosaic created by SPHS art instructor Eva Hendrickson's students last school year features the cultures and artistic talents of several past and current students.