When Saint Teresa Regional’s glass doors were replaced, the Runnemede school community and those traveling down busy Evesham Road were left looking at a plain, white façade.
But for a couple of the school’s teachers, and some art students from the town’s high school, those doors were the perfect canvas for a hand-painted mural of faith and beauty.
“This project has brought together two Runnemede schools, a public and Catholic school, which is wonderful,” said Laura McCafferty, who teaches Pre-K3 at Saint Teresa Regional.
After the doors were replaced, McCafferty began thinking about how to make them look more inviting. She decided to involve nearby Triton Regional High School and contacted art teacher Michael Palma and one of his students, Julia Giannattasio – who happens to be her niece, and the granddaughter of Saint Teresa’s art teacher, Denise Kehoe.
Giannattasio, 17, got to work sketching a design, which included a cross, roses and stained glass-inspired designs, with Palma helping to review her proposals and get approval from both schools. Once the design was ready to go, Giannattasio worked with fellow students Heather Intriago and Ava Castellanos to bring it to life.
“I am Catholic, and I wanted a representation of my faith. I decided to include a cross and roses to represent Saint Teresa,” the rising senior said. “It took a long time to do, [between] sketching out the perfect design and actually getting it on the doors, but I love it. It blows my mind that I actually designed that and painted it.”
Palma was also thrilled with the result, and with the hard work of his students.
“I had the absolute pleasure of just having to watch these magnificent students create, problem-solve and adapt to complete the mural. I may have mixed some paint and cleaned up, but Julia was the true creative and team leader for this project,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of the outcome and proud of my students – especially Julia – who showed maturity, creativity and tenacity beyond their years.”
McCafferty said that the redesigned doors have already gotten a great deal of attention, from drivers yelling messages of support as the students painted, to alumni stopping by to share how much they love the finished product.
“I think that this will bring attention to our small but wonderful school,” she said. “The door is beautiful, and it makes you feel proud to be a part of its beauty.”
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