Theodore Vadot ‘19
Over the past few years, the seniors have established a tradition of painting a mural on Episcopal’s campus. Usually involving class spirit, the senior class adds their own twist to it, leaving their mark at EA for everyone to see.
On September 30th, 2018, students in the Class of 2019 gathered to paint their mural over the previous mural, painted by the Class of 2018.
The Class of 2019’s mural includes a new addition to EA’s fanbase, the Thunder Dome: The Dome Gnome. Quinn Chambers ‘19 came up with this idea; when asked how he was inspired, he said, “I don’t know. I really just looked up something that rhymes with Dome, and eventually I found Gnome, so I brought up that proposition to our class.” The Dome Gnome was initially received with some confusion, but the generally positive consensus ultimately allowed it to be inaugurated. Alex Bendinelli ‘19 stated, “I didn’t really understand it, but I got used to it and I guess that’s how turning ideas into reality works.” Chambers elaborated, “The hope is that the Dome Gnome, which I have a 3D print of, gets passed on to the senior classes after us and can be a memory of the class of 2019.”
The Mural combines the original Thunder Dome with the Class of 2019’s Dome Gnome, but it also plays on the Class of 2019’s view of themselves as a “kingdom.” The final product is a large “King Dome” phrase accompanied with the depiction of the Dome Gnome, holding a crown with the numbers “2019” inscribed on it. Scottie Crockett ‘19, an important participant in the Thunder Dome, explained, “Quinn came up with the Dome Gnome, and I came up with King Dome. People might not get it immediately, but all they have to know is our class saying, kingdom (k1n9dom), and the more commonly known Thunderdome.” Crockett adds, “In the end, the idea is fun, and it gives us a way to leave our mark as the Class of 2019.”
The Class of 2019 , hence the “kingdom” reference. Alex Oliva ‘19 said, “I think the fact that we call ourselves a kingdom is very appropriate, because not only are we the biggest class at EA, but I think we are also referring to our class unity.” Oliva added, “We strive to lead by example, and we have been told often that we succeed in doing so, and that we are looked up to by others.”
Ultimately, the tradition of the senior class painting a mural is an effective way to encourage and exhibit class unity. Hadley Debruyn ‘20 stated, “The mural is creative, and it was well made.” Crockett affirmed, “We want to show our unity and how much we care about each other. If we can do that as easily as making a mural, then we should make the best of it.” Chambers added, “Considering the number of people that walk by that mural every day, I don’t think there is a better way to show visually what we are all about: school spirit, leadership, and unity.”