Dan Solomon and Garrison McMurtrey, representing Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar respectively, chat as they prepare to add their thumbprint to the nationally recognized LILA “Thumbprint Painting Project.”
A unique art project has earned Lakes International Language Academy national recognition, as well as a gubernatorial proclamation celebrating the school’s accomplishments.
The “Thumbprint Painting Project” is a three-panel art display featuring a tree with leaves made of the thumbprints of LILA students, teachers, parents, community leaders and others. The work earned LILA both state and national plaudits with a Promising Practice in Character Education award from character.org.
On Dec. 8, LILA officials held a ceremony to recognize the praise that the project has been receiving as well as to host an official reading of a proclamation written by Gov. Mark Dayton that recognized the day as LILA Day in the state of Minnesota. During the proceedings, students said the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish and also performed the school song in preparation for an upcoming concert.
Forest Lake Mayor Stev Stegner was the first guest speaker.
“I remember going to high school with (LILA Director) Shannon (Peterson) and even then she was talking to me about how she wanted to bring a Spanish immersion school to Forest Lake,” Stegner said. “It is no surprise to me that LILA has won awards for best public school, best principal, best tutor, and the list goes on. This is just another that is going to be added to a long line of future awards. We have really great schools in Forest Lake and this is one that helps us get to the next level.”
Next on the docket to speak was Rep. Bob Dettmer on behalf of Dayton. Peterson applauded Dettmer as a champion for schools and remembered when he was instrumental in securing some financing from the state that had been promised but was not being delivered.
“LILA is just another example of the great schools we have in Forest Lake,” Dettmer said. “When I knock on doors during my campaigning for office, I hear that people move to Forest Lake because of this school.”
Dettmer went on to read a proclamation from Dayton that praised LILA staff and students for their achievements, including the implementation of unique character education strategies. The proclamation explained the significance of the project, noting that the thumbprint “leaves” symbolize the importance of the contributions each individual makes toward the successful growth of school and expanding knowledge for all.
“(T)he state of Minnesota congratulates LILA on this award and its commitment to preparing tomorrows critical thinkers and global citizens through language acquisition and inquiry driven study,” Dettmer read.
Next to speak was Sen. Al Franken’s education adviser, Dan Solomon. Solomon said that Franken was absent, since he was in Washington debating a way to “fix No Child Left Behind.”
“It was very important to Mr. Franken that I be here today because he believes that education has less to do with standardized testing and more to do with grit, character, perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles,” Solomon said. “How fitting and terrific it is that this award that LILA has earned is for character in education.”
Garrison McMurtrey from Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office read a prepared letter penned by the senator.
“This project highlights what everyone at LILA knows to be true,” McMurtrey read. “Each of us can have a profound professional impact on the learning community.”
The ceremony was capped off with some closing remarks from LILA Executive Director Cam Hedlund.
“The smiles on the students’ faces say everything I want to say about our school, about our commitments to character, and about our commitment to Forest Lake,” he said.