Artist Carla Roque guides Hermosa Drive Elementary students as they collaborate on painting a new campus mural. (Photo courtesy of Fullerton School District) 
Five Hermosa Drive students paint side by side as part of a collaborative mural project led by artist Carla Roque. (Photo courtesy of Fullerton School District) 
A Hermosa Drive student puts on protective shoe covers before joining the mural-painting project. (Photo courtesy of Fullerton School District) 
Artist Carla Roque distributes brushes to students after a training session on mural-painting techniques. (Photo courtesy of Fullerton School District) 
The completed mural at Hermosa Drive Elementary features the message “Kind hearts grow here,” reflecting the school’s emphasis on compassion and belonging. (Photo courtesy of Fullerton School District)
Quick look: Hermosa Drive Elementary unveiled a new student-painted mural centered on the message “Kind hearts grow here.” Created with artist Carla Roque, the mural is part of a broader effort to build a more inclusive and inspiring campus.
Students returning to Hermosa Drive Elementary School this fall will be greeted by a colorful new mural that celebrates kindness, community and student voice.
Located in the transitional kindergarten and kindergarten area of the Fullerton School District campus, the vibrant artwork was designed and painted by local muralist Carla Roque with help from students, staff and families. The project reflects Hermosa Drive’s ongoing efforts to build a welcoming environment rooted in inclusion and empowerment.
“This mural is part of a vision to be the most inclusive, family-friendly community school where high academic standards and kindness are at the core, while meeting the social and emotional needs of every child,” said Principal Dr. Caroline Llewellyn. “It was a truly collaborative project, shaped by input from students, staff and families.”
According to the Fullerton School District, the mural’s central message, “Kind hearts grow here,” reflects the school’s stated emphasis on compassion, inclusion and belonging. Positioned near the classrooms of the school’s youngest learners, the mural aims to instill positive values early in students’ academic journeys.
The project was completed on June 14 and funded through a generous donation from the Campbell family. It’s also part of Hermosa Drive’s broader beautification initiative, which previously included a playground mural unveiled in December 2024 with support from the school’s Parent Teacher Association. That design, also created with Roque, incorporated school colors and student-generated ideas to brighten campus walls and build community pride.
Local artist brings student voices to life
Roque, a Fullerton resident and parent in the district, was selected through a competitive process to lead both Hermosa Drive mural projects. Known for her bold colors and uplifting style, she has also completed murals at Raymond and Valencia Park elementary schools.
For the most recent mural, Roque worked directly with Hermosa Drive students in kindergarten through second grade. Each child received a keepsake shirt to wear while painting. The front read, “Hello, I am an artist,” and the back said, “Art is the highest form of hope.”
Roque said she values opportunities to engage students in public art projects and hopes the experience will help them discover a lifelong creative outlet.
One of the mural’s final touches will be an anti-graffiti coating applied by Gina Matz, a painter in the district. Matz was named one of the 2025 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education and later received statewide recognition in the Skilled Trades Services category through the California Classified School Employees of the Year program.
To learn more about Hermosa Drive Elementary, visit fullertonsd.org/Hermosa. For information about the Fullerton School District, visit fullertonsd.org.