When Okarche elementary school students return to the classroom this week, their classmates have a big surprise awaiting their arrival.

As they walk the familiar hallway, a freshly painted, bold and bright mural embodying the history and spirit of Okarche will greet students as well as teachers and visitors to the school.

The idea of Principal Chris Roby, the mural was designed and brought to life by fourth grade teacher Halli Ford and her after-school and summer art program students.

Depicting longtime businesses in the community, academic and sports programs of the school, the school creed, state bird and tree and the solar system among other things, the mural was created to represent the Okarche community and school as one.

Another aspect of the mural is its representation of influential people involved in the school and community who recently passed away. Three educators, David Vallerand, Regina Alig and Ray West, as well as pre-kindergarten student Whitley Rother, are memorialized in the painting.

Wanting something that represented the school and community as one, “Mr. Roby told me he wanted it to be everything about Okarche,” Ford said.

Six students ranging from fourth to seventh grade designed and completed the mural in less than 30 days this summer.

Those involved in the design and brushwork along with Ford were her husband Robert and their daughter, Hartli, and niece, Tenley Ludwig, as well as Samuel Henderson, Kinley Rankin, Blakeley Stephens and Kaidence Alig.

Megan Henderson, who is also a fourth grade teacher, played a big role in organizing and helping with the students, Ford said.

Although it was her first time to paint a mural, Ford said she was excited to take on the task when Roby presented her with the idea.

“I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into,” she said. “Whenever he asked, I was so excited, but at only 5 feet tall, looking at a huge blank wall was a little intimidating.”

That feeling didn’t last long for Ford as she and her students dove into the project, working 4 or 5 hours most mornings for almost a month.

Helping with everything from the initial design to the completed work, Ford said, “The kids worked well together and were just amazing.

“What was really neat was to see how much their skills grew, and spending that much time together, I was able to see what each one was specifically good at and I learned a lot from them as a teacher too.”

Illustrations depicting Okarche school sports, drama, music and other school activities are intertwined with a scissortail flycatcher, redbud tree, solar system, American flag, Okarche town landmarks and the school creed which students recite every morning.

Displayed in remembrance of Vallerand is a baseball player in silhouette with the letter “V,” a child reading a favorite Dr. Seuss book for Alig, a carving on a tree for Rother (done by her former pre-K teacher Caitlin Timmons) and a “Best in the West” banner for Coach West.

Recognizing the significance of the work they were involved in, Ford said the students were very focused on getting the details right.

“They worked for a month on the project and it turned out great,” Roby said. “It really represents our school’s academic and athletic culture and everything that has been a staple in our community.”

A native of Okarche and 2004 OHS graduate, Ford has been a teacher at the elementary school since 2016. Robert teaches English, reading, psychology and physical science at OHS and Hartli is in the fifth grade.

The mural was a big project, but she and the students enjoyed it, Ford said.

“They were young kids, but they were impressive,” she said.

It’s a collage of everything that kids can look at and hopefully learn something that will stick with them, Ford added.

“The ideas they came up with depicting the town of Okarche and the community, as well as the history behind our community and school presents a great piece of art to have in our hallway where students and everyone that goes through can look at it and be proud it’s there,” Okarche Superintendent Josh Sumrall said.

“It’s a big addition to our elementary and I’m very proud. Mrs. Ford and the students that helped did a great job and it turned out really well.”