Seniors Jesus Godoy and Yangel Miranda are leaving something for future generations of students to see at the Career & Technical Institute. They were among a group of CTI students who painted the Genders and Sexualities Alliance mural that will hang soon in the Dutchess BOCES’ main lobby leading to CTI.
“It’s crazy to think about that. Even though we’re gone there’s still going to be stuff that we did here,” said Godoy.
Miranda added, “I can’t believe in the future if we’re here and it’s still hanging for how many years, I’m going to be like ‘Wow I can’t believe I did this when I was younger.’”
Godoy and Miranda, who joined CTI’s GSA club to support a friend in the club, were at a breakfast June 7 to recognize the work done on the mural. CTI’s GSA club and The Art Effect in Poughkeepsie worked together in producing the mural. 
“I think it’s beautiful, It’s creative and I think it captures what we are all about here with celebrating diversity and making sure people recognize our programs are open to everybody. I love the positivity of it all,” said Nick Millas, principal of CTI.
Erin Scott, GSA club adviser, said the club and the mural gave students the opportunity to express themselves, meet new people and try new things.
“It’s just an example of the amount of diversity and inclusion that CTI offers. There is a place for everybody in this building,” she said.
Chloe Mosbacher is an independent artist working on behalf of The Art Effect who helped guide CTI students through the process that included brainstorming, coming up with the message to convey with the mural, and drawing and painting the mural.
“It was incredible,” said Mosbacher, who added the process took about a month.
“There was so much laughter throughout the entire process. Sometimes painting a mural can be stressful, this one in particular was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
