Linda Vista Road Banner Dedication

On March 1, 2019, Montgomery Middle STEAM Magnet School, San Diego Unified School District, together with community partners Linda Vista Town Council and the University of San Diego, celebrated the unveiling of student-designed banners along Linda Vista Road and Ulric Street. This event marked the culmination of an eighth-grade design-based unit with the theme “We Are Linda Vista,” led by Montgomery teacher Aimee Welshans. While Montgomery students were thinking critically about their community, USD and the LVTC were exploring options for the next series of banners along Linda Vista Road that would authentically represent Linda Vista.

“Because of our historical partnerships in Linda Vista, connections were made between the eighth-grade students and USD’s publications department and university designer,” said Malia Pfister, senior advisor in USD's Office of Community and Government Relations and sponsor of the banners. She added, “What better way to show off Linda Vista than through the lens of our best asset — our youth.”

After launching the collaboration in November, Montgomery students worked in teams to create a visual representation of Linda Vista for the banners. Prototypes were produced and the teams pitched their designs at an exhibition in December 2018 to USD staff, the Linda Vista Town Council, Montgomery faculty, staff and families as well as students from neighboring elementary schools.John Nielsen, LVTC president, added, “It’s been wonderful to see a project that brings community members and students together to create art representing Linda Vista as a whole.”

“Our students were able to use skills gained in other classes in order to pitch the banner to a real-life client and see it come to fruition,” said Welshans. “This real-world experience is exactly what we want for our students here at Montgomery STEAM Magnet.”

The banners are viewable to the public along Linda Vista Road and Ulric Street. The artwork and photos used for the banners will be on display at the Linda Vista Library beginning in mid-April.