Roughly 100 students painted the mural on cloth sheets in the high school over a three-week period. Those sheets were adhered last week to the outside of the Legion building using gel and then clear coated for protection.

Brian Dumm, Central Cambria’s visual arts educator, designed the mural with student input. The completed piece features several images of the ways veterans serve their communities after their active duty — including as firefighters, teachers, doctors and farmers.

“From Legion baseball to managing the Cambria County Fair, the American Legion is actively serving the community in significant ways every day,” Dumm said.

In a collective artist statement posted next to the mural, students said they want community members to remember the service of veterans beyond their service of active duty.

Courtesy photo Students Liliana Janosko and Kaylee Hall were among the group of Central Cambria High School students who painted the mural.

“The mural depicts many different aspects of community that are strengthened by people coming together and serving others,” students said in the statement.

Last year, students painted a “Welcome to Ebensburg” mural near Lake Rowena.

Kendra Templeton, a senior student who worked on both projects, said the American Legion mural gives her a lasting memory of being in school with her classmates.

“I liked being able to have a new group of people to work with,” Templeton said.

Junior Emily Vandenbergh said she is proud to have been part of the project honoring veterans.

Courtesy photo Central Cambria High School students completed a mural at the American Legion Post 363 along West High Street in Ebensburg.

“I think it’s great that such a wide variety of students got to represent the American Legion because it’s something that is big in our community, and it deserves respect,” she said. “I’m glad we got to contribute to that.”

The mural project was funded by the American Legion Post 363. Post Commander Philip Rice said the mural looks “amazing.”

“I appreciate how it not only shows the Legion’s connection to our community, but it also gives these young citizens a connection to our community, too,” Rice said. “Now they’re going to have a connection that’s going to last for their entire lives.”

Rice said he thinks it’s important for people to feel a sense of community.

“We need more people who are interested in being connected to our communities,” he said.

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Central Cambria High School art teacher Brian Dumm and elementary art teacher Jessica Davis get help from Dumm’s daughter, Maddie, 13, and Davis’ daughter, Brookelyn, 16, to install the mural at the Ebensburg American Legion Post 363.

The students’ statement acknowledges that community is important and that art can be a part of that connection.

“Public arts provide a positive experience for the community and a reminder of what brings us together,” the statement reads. It ends with a thank you to service members.

“Thank you to all who have served and those who continue to serve our communities and our country in whatever way they can, every day.”

Dumm said he will design another mural next year if there’s enough community interest in a future project.

“We’ll try to do one per year if we can,” he said.

Courtesy photo Central Cambria students Brookelyn Skorupa, Delany Bunk and Liam Streets work on the mural.

Courtesy photo Central Cambria students Gracie Fulton, Gabbi Stiffler, and Grayson Gironda work on the mural.