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Silver linings: An unexpected piece of chalk art shows the power of Utah educators

Editor’s note: Do you have a coronavirus silver lining to share? Email The Salt Lake Tribune at silverlinings@sltrib.com and please keep your story to 300 words or less.

While walking in Granite Park in Sandy last week, I found a high school senior (I wish I’d gotten his name) creating a chalk art portrait.

As I walked up to it, I thought it was a cone head. But then I saw that he had written “stand here” along with some shoe prints off to one side.

I stood where I was told to get another view of this piece of art, still a work in progress. The student said it was Hillcrest High School’s principal, Mr. Greg Leavitt. Wow.

I thought, “Mr. Leavitt must be quite a remarkable leader.” It made me think of all the educators who are creating new ways to interact with students. I’ve seen firsthand the care teachers put into their lessons to keep students engaged in learning from home.

In addition to our hard-working, dedicated health care workers and first responders, teachers deserve our thanks. I returned to the park a few days later in hopes of seeing the finished portrait. Sadly, because of overnight snow, it had mostly disappeared. I feel certain Mr. Leavitt — and so many other educators — will remain in the hearts of many.

Robin Roberson

Sandy

UPDATE: A mother of one of the students has identified the artists. They are Luke Schreiber, Michael Varanakis and Grace Zito.

(Courtesy of Robin Roberson) Sandy-resident Robin Roberson saw a teen drawing in a park and it took standing at the right spot to see that it was a tribute to Hillcrest High School Principal Greg Leavitt.