A poignant wall mural has appeared at Kent-Meridian High School in the large suburban city of Kent, an important residential, industrial and logistics hub south of Seattle. Students created it in memory of classmates who died tragically in the spring of 2024. The mural, depicting graduates tossing caps against a backdrop of flying doves and the words "Forever Royals," has become a permanent memorial and a symbol of the school community. The name "Royals," the school mascot since 1968, has historically symbolized striving for high achievement and unity. The idea for the mural came entirely from students who wanted to honor Hazarat Ali Rohani and Christopher Medina Selaia.
The project was prompted by the deaths of two students within days of each other, an event that shook everyone. Class of 2025 graduate Claire Eaton, who took part in the memorial ceremony, expressed a shared concern: she feared that, over time, the memory of these students might fade. As a member of the student council, she proposed creating a memorial where friends could sit and remember their peers.
To make the decision collective, the student council surveyed all students. A majority voted for a large-scale wall mural rather than a bench or plaque. The goal was to create a work that reflected the school's diversity, characteristic of one of the largest and most diverse districts in Washington state — Kent School District. It was intended to be meaningful both for current students and future graduates, uniting them through shared memories and values.
The final design was entrusted to two talented student artists, Ellie Hoyt and Harlan McManus. They deliberately rendered the figures of the graduates faceless, showing them with their backs to the viewer so the emphasis would be on community rather than individual grief. The blue color, taken from the school palette, symbolizes calm, while the white doves represent peace. The graduation scene was chosen as a shared important milestone, even for those who did not reach it.
After the sketch was approved, other students were brought in to help paint the walls; under the guidance of a professional artist hired by the school district, they helped fill in the large areas. Leadership advisor Erika Wulftskill emphasized that the project remained in students' hands from start to finish, which was fundamentally important to its meaning.
The mural's unveiling took place late last year. For its creators and initiators it has already become an integral part of school life. Principal David Radford noted that the painting evokes a range of emotions, reminding people of all those the school community has lost over the years. For Claire Eaton, watching it from afar, it confirmed that the memory of her classmates is now preserved for years to come.
