Forest Lake Mural Lets Wantagh Students Make Their Mark

WANTAGH, NY. — Forest Lake Elementary School students are leaving their mark on their school — right next to their friends’ marks, in a grade-wide mural that will decorate the elementary school’s lobby.

The mural is the brainchild of art teacher Laura Capozzi, featuring the hand and torch from the Statue of Liberty with an American flag in the background. Also featured in the mural, district representatives announced, is a spot for every fifth grader in the school to paint.

The work of painting will be completed during art classes this month, and Capozzi said the mural concept was the product of discussion with elder students at Forest Lake. Using public art in cities across the United States, Capozzi collected ideas from the student body. Ultimately, it was the idea from Violet Cilla, Salvatore Fernandez and Teagan Heffernan that became the backdrop for this mural.

“I wanted to do a big project that involved a lot of students,” Capozzi said. “When
they work on something within the building, it will be long-lasting. They are leaving their
mark on Forest Lake.”

The mural will be completed with a signature from the class of 2026, and Capozzi said she hoped the mural could become an annual tradition.