Mattoon elementary students paint 14-foot mural to honor veterans

MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Students at one Central Illinois grade school are finally able to put their paintbrushes down and look at what they finished.

Over the course of this year, older students at Riddle Elementary School in Mattoon have been working on a cafeteria mural during recess. Now, the paint has dried and the 14-foot art piece has been hung.

Some of the artists explained the meaning behind it.

“Every year here at Riddle, we have a Veterans Day parade that features our Mattoon veterans,” fourth grade student Jansen McDevitt said.

“For this year’s mural, we wanted a painting that would say ‘thank you’ to each and every veteran that viewed it,” fellow fourth-grader Lucy Bagwell continued.

“We’ve been working on this mural for most of the school year and we’re happy to present it,” said fifth-grade student Kyleigh Janssen.

Students and faculty look forward to showcasing the art during their Veterans Day parade.

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