Franklin, MA - Last month, the artwork of more than 400 students was displayed in the auditorium hallway of Horace Mann Middle School.

The “Who’s Your Hero?” mural featured eight panels filled with 6-inch square, matted drawings, each depicting a personal hero selected by the student artist who created it.

The Horace Mann Middle School students first chose personal heroes, then researched them and created miniature posters, each with a photograph and a small description of the individual. Then they created the artwork itself, creating an image of their hero, including the hero’s name in decorative font plus information — a quote, characteristics, achievements — showing how that hero is inspirational.

“Students chose athletes, artists, actors, singers, and activists, including heroes from throughout history and from many different cultures,” said Horace Mann Middle School art teacher Robin Katz. “Some chose ordinary heroes such as their teachers, coaches and parents. The project and mural have been inspiring many great conversations across our community — student to student, student to teacher, student to parents and siblings.”

As a result of the mural project, Katz said one of her sixth-grade students shared that he spoke to his parents, found out that his great grandfather fought during World War II, and then chose him as his personal hero. Another student told Katz that she talked about the project with her parents and ended up choosing a heroine who shares her cultural heritage, a woman who helped fight for Indian independence in 1947.

“I think it’s important, now more than ever, that we encourage conversations about kindness, helping others and positive achievement, to inspire our students to help others and achieve,” Katz said. “The ‘Who’s Your Hero?’ project certainly provoked those conversations and allowed our students to delve into these themes, reminding us all about the important achievements and qualities of the heroes we admire most.”

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Rebecca Motte congratulate all the students involved with the project and thank Ms. Robin Katz for supporting students throughout this project.