A towering new dolphin will watch over Marathon High School students for years to come, thanks to one of its own teachers.
On Aug. 16, students, faculty and dignitaries filled the MHS parking lot to officially commemorate the signing and dedication of the school’s freshly-painted mahi mural, completed by artist Shannon Paul Wiley.
“When I look at the new mural, I see a strong, beautiful dolphin,” said MHS principal Christine Paul. “I feel it truly promotes our school spirit and school pride, and unifies us as the Dolphins family.”
“The community at large has been so supportive of it,” said Wiley, who made the move from Stanley Switlik Elementary to the high school in January 2024 in hopes of expanding MHS’ art program.
He thanked the contributions of Sherwin Williams, Home Depot and Sunbelt Rentals for supplies and equipment, as well as steadfast support from Paul for the project.
“It’s something I thought was necessary after the old mural was tarnished. Christine has been amazing,” he said. “I worked with her at Switlik and she’s the reason I’m at Marathon High.”
While the Class of 2025 offered funding to complete the mural as their senior gift, Wiley chose to donate his time, instead directing the funds as a contribution to the WileyArt Kids Foundation to provide scholarships to budding artists.
Wiley said the blessing of local muralist Yoslan O’Farrill, the creator of the school’s previous mural in the refreshed space, was critical before beginning his work.
“I reached out to Yoslan and checked, asked if he wanted to do the mural with me,” Wiley said. “He said he had nothing but love for the Marathon community, but said ‘I just want you to make it the way you want to make it. I don’t need to be involved, I just want the best for the students and the community.’”
One item onlookers may not have noticed: an “angel cloud” in the corner of the mural, dedicated to local teen Ben Segard, who passed away in a spearfishing accident in August 2023.
“He was a beacon of positivity, a young athlete who made a difference in my life serving as his soccer coach, a boy who inspired me, his teammates, friends, likely everyone he met,” Wiley wrote in a Facebook post. “(The cloud), was my tribute to him and to his family, individuals I shall forever cherish.”
