Newtown High School's Student Government held a ceremony the evening of June 1 to mark the completion of a Ben's Bells mural near the front entrance of the school.

The mural was created after fundraising efforts by the Student Government. Hana Rosenthal, co-president of the group, oversaw the effort. Generous donations made the mural possible, Hana said before thanking the school's custodial staff for helping to install the mural. Representatives from Ben's Bells visited during the week to install the mural, and some representatives attended the evening event on June 1.

Before the ceremony started, Hana said that at the start of the school year, she was determined to have a Ben's Bells mural installed on the NHS campus before she graduated at the end of this school year. Knowing that "a lot of hands" helped in the making of the mural is what makes Hana most proud of its completion.

Ben's Bells' mission, according to bensbells.org, is "to inspire, educate, and motivate people to realize the impact of intentional kindness, and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby strengthening ourselves, our relationships, and our communities."

The NHS mural is in the shape of the floral Ben's Bells logo, and within the design are the words "Newtown High School. Be Kind." Different shaped tiles were made to create the mural, and some details were added to the tiles while they were being made. NHS Student Government Co-President Connor Munro pointed out that some of the tiles have the shape of the school's mascot, the Nighthawk, carved within them. Other tiles are shaped like the head of the Nighthawk.

NHS Student Government Co-President Justice Zoto said she liked that the mural was installed right next to the school's main entrance. The "unique location," she said, will remind students to "Be Kind" every time they enter and exit the building.

"I'm just really excited to have it in our school for all the years to come," said Student Government Co-President Annika Brady.