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Coral Reef Initiative summer interns paint bus stop
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Posted on Aug 15 2011
Amanda Santos, 17, took on an exciting project this summer as part of her Coral Reef Initiative (CRI) internship at the Coastal Resources Management Office (CRM). A few weeks into the job, and with inspiration from the new marine life mural at American Memorial Park, Santos approached her mentor with an idea to paint a nearby bus stand both to beautify the area and to educate students on the importance of our beaches and marine life. With support from CRM’s administrator and the commissioner of the Public Schools System, the bus stand began its transformation.
With the help of other CRI interns and local artist Aaron James Q. Tomokane, 18, who volunteered his time, the project progressed. Design themes were brainstormed and four painting days were scheduled in mid-July. Tomokane did all final design work for the bus stand and detailed paint work, while Amanda and her peers made all preparations, and did much of the painting themselves.
The mural inside the bus stand shows the island’s abundant marine life, and outside scenes depict the beauty of our island above water. Though not visible from the road, the back of the bus stand shows Primo, a yellow-crowned butterfly fish which is found only in the Marians Islands and has become a symbol of our need to protect fragile marine habitats. Text on the front of the bus stop was contributed by Santos herself as part of CRM’s Clean Beaches slogan competition.
“I hope when students see the mural they remember how important coral reefs are to the CNMI, and that protecting our reefs and beaches will also protect the fish that we depend on,” said Santos.
The bus stop is located in Gualo Rai in front of the Springs Plaza building where the CRM office is located. [I](PR)[/I]
