The buffalo made it, as did the prairie dogs, deer, elk and dragonflies. And of course the eagles are there. The snakes, however, got voted off.

The other creatures will have starring roles on a mural students are painting on three garage doors on the back of the ceramics classroom at Eisenhower High School. But students voted to nix the snakes, according to ceramics teacher Sherri Denning.

Denning said a mural was painted on the doors 25-30 years ago and faded over time. A previous art class was going to touch up the mural several years ago, but it did not work out logistically, Denning said. She said members of the EHS Ceramics Club, which was formed last year, decided to tackle the project this semester.

She said students spent several weeks debating designs. Students wanted to incorporate the school mascot, an eagle, into the design. At first, students wanted to paint an eagle bursting through the doors. Then they debated an American flag with an eagle on the front of it. Another suggestion was I-K-E, with one letter on each door.

Finally, students decided to pair the school mascot with the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Custodians painted the doors bright blue for the students, and that became their canvas. Sky, grass and water on each door ties the theme together.

The left door will feature an eagle sitting on a tree branch about to take off. Wildflowers, prairie dogs and a herd of buffalo dot the landscape. The middle door shows the Wichita mountains range with an eagle soaring over the prairie with prairie dogs and wildflowers below. The right-hand door, which will be done last, will show a continuation of the tree branch, with an eagle perched on it. Various other wildlife will be added to all the doors. Except for snakes.

Denning is in charge of each eagle, adding that all of them are slightly different.

“The eagle in the middle is bigger than others. It is soaring,” Denning said.

A group of students, most of whom are in Denning’s ceramics classes, meets once or twice a week to work on the project after school. Most of the students have never painted a mural before, but have enjoyed the challenge.

Taven Miller has worked on the project since the beginning, often lending his talents during class time as well as after school. On one particular day, he was painting purple wildflowers amidst a sea of grass on the middle door.

“It’s a contrasting color,” Miller said as to why he chose purple. “Orange and yellow will be worked in later.”

Guadalupe Ponce Martinez said she had never done much painting, although her two siblings are interested in art.

“I’ve never been much of a painter, but here I am painting,” she said. “It is very fun, actually.”

Ponce was given responsibility for all the prairie dogs.

“We were planning on what to add to the wall. It was a little bland,” she said. “We chose prairie dogs. During research, I learned a lot about prairie dogs. When it comes to size and weight, the males are bigger and fatter than the females. The males’ snouts are more out and the females are more slimmed,” she said.

She said seven prairie dogs are planned for the three doors.

“Right now we are trying to figure out the placement,” she said, saying that other animals may be added later. “We wanted to add diversity to it.”

Ponce and Miller said they are aware of the impact the mural will have on others, as well as their role in leaving a legacy.

“A lot of people will see it as they get on and off the buses. It’s important that it looks good,” Miller said. “I must admit, I’m a little bit nervous. They will see our work every day. It is definitely a profound joy. Not every student will have this experience. It is definitely something to leave high school with.”

Ponce said the community will see a mural on the doors instead of a bland wall.

Because the doors are close to Eisenhower Middle School, those students also will be able to see it. What message does Miller hope the mural will send to EMS students?

“That here at Eisenhower, we definitely have our creative aspects. It is good to let them know there is more than sports,” Miller said.

Denny said she hopes to have the mural done by Thanksgiving break.