LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - If you stand just right at either end of the social studies wing at Liberty Junior School, two twin beams of light shine out of a mural.

Kim Kanzlemar touches up the mural. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The beams represent the twin towers that fell during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. They are set against the New York City skyline with a harbor view that shows the profile of Lady Liberty.

        Students at Liberty Junior decided this was how they wanted to memorialize 9-11, so the school commissioned artist and Liberty Township resident Kim Kanzlemar for the job. Her 25-foot wide, 8.5-foot tall mural took most of the summer to complete.

        “This is so close to their hearts,” said Ms. Kanzlemar.

        “It communicates something important to them, something they'll always remember.”

        The 9-11 scene was one of several ideas the students voted on before meeting with Ms. Kanzlemar to go over details and sketches.

        “It was fresh in everybody's mind,” said Beverly Brockmeyer, 14, who was president of student council and now attends the freshman school. “I remember I was in Spanish class. It was something we witnessed. I'm curious to see the new seventh graders' reactions. Hopefully, they'll (school officials) keep it there a long time.”

        The mural depicts real buildings around the Twin Towers and reflects them in the harbor. A dark sky surrounds a halo of light around the buildings. To the side, Ms. Kanzlemar painted a United States flag and across the top the words, “United We Still Stand.”

        Soon, framed newspaper coverage of the tragedy will be added to the wall.

        “It's been a big hit with everyone at the open house and PTO meeting,” said Principal Ron Spurlock. “It's gotten everybody's attention.”

        Athlete Matt Cramer, 14, said he initially voted for a sports-themed mural but has since changed his mind.

        “I think it was a good selection,” Matt said. “It represents the most important event (we) remembered from the year at Liberty.”

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