For almost fifty years, a mosaic roughly six feet in diameter, representing the acclaimed symbol of PVHS – the Sea King, has hung above the stage in Sea King Park, representing our school’s pride and history. As of several weeks ago, however, on September 18th, the symbol finally faced its inevitable demise. Overnight, the mosaic suddenly tumbled, crashing onto the stage into many tiny pieces. In its place is an unsightly indentation of where the mosaic was previously located. Mrs. Maxfield, the activities director of PVHS, shared some of her thoughts on the mosaic’s destruction, explaining that, “It looked like the iron bracket that held it just gave way. I don’t think anybody ever thought it would fall. I was just as surprised as the next person.” The mosaic represented a long lineage of Sea King spirit, and therefore was a devastating sight to see for Sea Kings of all ages, whether they are students now, or were students forty years ago.
Created in 1966, the mosaic was a gift to the student body and the graduating class of that same year. Several months before the gift was given, a handful of students traveled with the PTA to Sacramento, California for a special event called, The Capital Convoy. There, the kids spoke with a renowned Italian artist, who had created many of the mosaics for the state capital, including for the State Senate and many other constitutional offices.
Jim Kinney, the former activities director of PVHS from 1961 to 1991, was one of the fortunate men who had originally met the artist, and recalls the process of bringing the idea of the mosaic to life. Kinney reflects that the artist “Talked [with us] and found out that we were all from a high school…and he came out to visit the school himself. Its location and the beauty of the campus itself was very impressive.” The kids figured that, due to his newfound love of the school, maybe he would be willing to design a mosaic for it. Kinney continued, stating that, “The kids asked him how much it would cost to have him do a mosaic [for the school]. They picked out the spot…and sometime later, the kids began to raise money.” After several fundraising projects were put into place, “the kids talked to the man, [the artist] presented his drawings and ideas…and the item was built.”
With the major amount of history associated with the mosaic, many are wondering what is going to be done with it. Thankfully for the school, ASB is planning on re-assembling the mosaic. Mrs. Maxfield noted that, “We’re going to try to replace it as soon as possible. It’s probably not going to be able to ever go back on the wall. We are going to put a makeshift Sea King [where the mosaic originally was]. However, like Mrs. Maxfield said, if all goes according to plan, and the mosaic is able to be repaired, then it may be displayed in the main office for all Sea Kings to observe.
The major question is whether Sea Kings feel dismayed toward the destruction of the mosaic, or if they even care about it getting re-assembled. Senior, Sabine Slome, shared her thoughts on the matter, exclaiming that, “At the beginning of school, when you walk onto campus, that is the one piece everyone looks at; it’s a Sea King…it pretty much [represents] the ideals of what our school stands for.” When asked about the importance of reassembling the mosaic, she stated that, “I think they really should rebuild it. When you walk in the hallways [now], it’s just a huge eyesore. It’s just this big beautiful building and this ugly, black circle where you know that mosaic should’ve gone.” She finished off by explaining that every campus has “some type of artwork,” and the mosaic not only represented our mascot, but also our aspirations as a Sea King community.
Nevertheless, September 18th was a truly sorrow day as one of the most exquisite pieces of history on our campus finally gave in after forty-eight years. The mosaic produces a sense of pride and unity for others, and truly shows what it means to be a part of Palos Verdes High School. Fortunately for the school, an attempt to rebuild it is currently under way, and most likely the mosaic will be back on its feet in no time, and with it, the pride and passion of the Sea Kings.