West Des Moines Community Schools unveiled last week a new mural at Valley High School painted by artist Jill Wells and inspired by the Valley student group Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy (RISE). The student group was formed last year, and the mural was one of its first ideas. Support and funding from Valley High School, WDMCS Community Education and the WDMCS Foundation helped make the new artwork possible. “RISE’s mission is that we seek to carve out a special, everlasting place for VHS immigrant and refugee students,” said Valley senior and founding member of RISE Mayada Alwan. “This mural is a step forward to transforming Valley High School to a better, more culturally responsive environment that is reflective of all of its students.” The student group pairs multilingual student leaders with students who are new to the country and share hobbies and at least one common language. Learn more and watch a video of the mural being made at this link. A photo album documenting the mural in progress and completed is available on Flickr.