• Students paint vibrant mural at Hermosa Drive

    Hermosa Drive students join mural artist Carla Roque and Principal Caroline Llewellyn in working on the mural.

    Hermosa Drive Elementary School in the Fullerton School District will welcome students back this fall with vibrant colors, invigorated spirit, and renewed purpose thanks to a community-designed mural situated in the school’s transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classroom area. The special mural, painted by celebrated local artist Carla Roque with the help of the  little hands who have used and will use this space, is the latest piece in Hermosa Drive’s years-long effort to rebrand itself around a powerful, student-centered vision.

    That vision? “To be the most inclusive, family-friendly community school where high academic standards and kindness are at the core, while meeting the social and emotional needs of every child,” Hermosa Drive Principal Dr. Caroline Llewellyn shared.

    Dr. Llewellyn went on to explain that this mural project was a deeply collaborative process, shaped by ideas and input from Hermosa Drive students, staff, and families. They worked together to help bring forward a design that reflects student identity, joy, and belonging, which are central themes in Hermosa Drive’s mission to create a safe and inspiring learning environment for all.

     

    kind Hearts Grow Here verbiage on a mural

    “Kind hearts grow here,” a mural message that reflects Hermosa Drive’s commitment to kindness

    The project also aligns with Hermosa Drive’s broader campus beautification efforts and was made possible thanks to a generous community donor. The message at the center of the mural, “Kind hearts grow here,” makes the mural more than an aesthetic upgrade. It will serve as a symbol of shared values and a commitment to helping all Hawk students soar into the future with kind hearts and the knowledge to do good things. Positioned in the section of the school where its youngest learners work and play, it instills early on in students a sense of purpose and the importance of being kind to all. 

    Prior to this mural, near the end of 2024, Hermosa Drive worked on an update to aging wall art in the school’s primary playground area. The design for this mural refresh was also arrived at through survey feedback from staff and parents and artwork ideas from students. Funding for this artwork update was made possible by the generous support of the Hermosa Drive Parent Teacher Association.

     

    Mural that reads Hermosa Drive

    Hermosa Drive unveiled its updated playground mural in December 2024. Photo courtesy Hermosa Drive’s Instagram @hermosa_drive

    “The design incorporates our school colors to showcase our pride, while the bright, joyful elements are a reminder of the love and positivity we strive to bring to our children every day,” Hermosa Drive’s Instagram post debuting the updated mural read. 

    The talented artist behind the work on both murals is Fullerton’s very own Carla Roque. A resident of the city and a parent in the Fullerton School District, Roque’s vivid colors and signature style are popping up all around Orange County and in several schools across the district, including Raymond and Valencia Park elementary schools. Roque has consistently been selected for these projects through competitive bid processes, and in each instance, she has taken the time to make way for student participation in the painting of the murals.

     

    Student with mural artist carla roque painting a mural at hermosa drive 

    Roque seen working with Hermosa Drive second-graders to reach the taller painting spots on the wall mural.

    In this mural work, Roque met with several student groups spanning second grade to kindergarten. She gave each student a shirt to wear to cover their clothes during painting and to keep as a token of appreciation for their help. The shirt reads on the back, “Art is the highest form of hope,” and the front reads, “Hello, I am an artist.” 

    Roque noted that she loves the opportunity to have students help paint the murals and hopes that the experience helps them explore various areas of art and find a creative outlet that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

    To learn more about Hermosa Drive Elementary, visit www.fullertonsd.org/Hermosa, and find more information on the Fullerton School District at www.fullertonsd.org/. 

    The Fullerton School District (FSD) is located in northern Orange County, California, and serves over 11,400 students in transitional kindergarten (TK) through eighth grade. FSD is home to 15 elementary schools, two TK through eighth-grade schools, three junior high schools, and a distance learning and home school program. FSD features unique programs for students, including a Dual Language Academy for Spanish and Korean languages; a Performance Academy Sports Program that offers a traditional in-person learning experience with time for advanced athletic training integrated into the school day; and robust before, after, and summer school programs. FSD also offers a middle college program, where students can earn college credits and sit for advanced placement (AP) exams administered by the College Board. Additionally, fine arts and performing arts opportunities are available on all 20 campuses. The mission of the Fullerton School District is to work collaboratively with the community to provide an innovative, high-quality educational experience for all students in a safe learning environment. FSD’s motto, “Great Schools - Successful Kids,” signifies that all FSD students will be given the tools and instruction to achieve academic excellence, hone interpersonal skills, and develop technological expertise to contribute as productive citizens in a democratic society.

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