Editor Excelsior Springs Standard 2001 W. Jesse James Rd., Suite 8 Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 I am writing in response to the March 10, 2023, edition of The Standard, in particular, the article “Voters get glimpse of possible new school.”

The article references the large Tiger head painted on the South wall of the Lewis Elementary gymnasium. Dr.

Mark Bullimore addressed the “saving” of items from the school, such as the Tiger portrait, by working with a graphic artist to replicate it on banners or posters to place in the new school building, if approved by voters. The Tiger was painted by Robert Grace in August 1974 following his graduating from ESHS in May. My wife and I accompanied Robert to the open house to see how well the Tiger had survived the years. We were pleased to see the colors are still bright and shows no sign of damage.

It is my opinion, in light of the fact the Tiger will be fifty years old next year, more effort should be made to incorporate that section of the gym wall into any new building, or remodeled building, intact. Merely reproducing it on banners or posters is a far cry from actually preserving the original painting for future generations. The digital age we now live in has made paint, skillfully applied by the hand of an artist, an increasingly rare and precious sight, deserving of more respect.

Richard Turner Independence, MO ESHS Class of 1974