Meadowdale High School unveils mural of Cesar Chavez as student-inspired day of recognition bill moves closer to passage

A mural of civil right activist Cesar Chavez was unveiled at Meadowdale High School Tuesday afternoon. A question posed by a Meadowdale student inspired a state legislator to introduce legislation to name March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. (Photos by David Pan)
A mural of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez was unveiled at Meadowdale High School Tuesday afternoon. A question posed by a Meadowdale student inspired a state legislator to introduce legislation to name March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. (Photos by David Pan)

In large part due to a question that a Meadowdale High School student asked a visiting state legislator, Washington state is moving closer to having a day of recognition for civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.

Meadowdale student Jon Cruz Martinez speaks before the unveiling on the Cesar Chavez mural.
Meadowdale student Jon Cruz Martinez speaks before the unveiling on the Cesar Chavez mural.

The day of recognition for Chavez came about when Rep. Zach Hudgins from Tukwila visited the Native Spanish Speaker classroom at Meadowdale High School. Having just finished a unit on Cesar Chavez, student Jon Cruz Martinez asked Hudgins why the state didn’t recognize March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day in the state of Washington.

Hudgins didn’t know and after some research he wrote House Bill 1560 which would recognize Cesar Chavez in Washington State. Almost a year later, the bill has passed various stages and is very close to becoming official. It currently is in the Senate.

“It’s a strong message to all students that their voices and opinions matter,” said Meadowdale Spanish teacher and Latino Student Union co-advisor Maria Cerka.

To celebrate this achievement, Meadowdale HIgh School unveiled a mural done by noted Washington state muralist and 1999 Mountlake Terrace High School graduate Andrew Morrison Tuesday afternoon.

Meadowdale Principal Kevin Allen, assistant prinicipal Jerry Christensen, Latino Student Union co-advisor Aaron Claar, Latino Student Union co-advisor Maria Serka, Meadowdale student Jon Cruz Martinez and mural artist Andrew Morrison pose before the Cesar Chavez mural.
Meadowdale Principal Kevin Allen, assistant principal Jerry Christensen, Latino Student Union co-advisor Aaron Claar, Latino Student Union co-advisor Maria Serka, Meadowdale student Jon Cruz Martinez and mural artist Andrew Morrison pose before the Cesar Chavez mural.

“I believe that this mural of Cesar Chavez represents the hard work that our Latino students are capable of with the right motivation,” Martinez said. “To see ourselves and our culture reflected on our school wall is a step in the right direction that will continue to motivate all students to work hard.”

Colores Unidos, Meadowdale’s Latino Student Union, was present, as well as students from last year’s Native Speaker class.

— Story and photos by David Pan

Members of Colores Unidos, the Latino Student Union, attended Tuesday's unveiling.
Members of Colores Unidos, the Latino Student Union, attended Tuesday’s unveiling.
Cesar Chavez mural
Cesar Chavez mural

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