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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.When entering a newly-remodeled restroom at Canfield Village Middle School, the girls are now greeted by inspirational quotes meant to inspire them and help them feel good about themselves.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield PTO member Sam Nappo developed a vision, themes and color schemes for two Canfield Village Middle School girls restrooms designed to inspire and empower the girls every day.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School Language Arts teacher Michelle Napolitano joined CVMS students, from left, Karsyn Durham, Delaney O’Brien, Emme Rubin and Hailey Tomory in viewing a newly-remodeled girls restroom filled with inspirational quotes intended to empower and uplift the students on Nov. 30.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield Village Middle School Language Arts teacher Michelle Napolitano wrote a project proposal to inspire the young girls at the middle school.
After being inspired by an article regarding motivational paintings in girls restrooms she saw in “Southern Living” magazine, Napolitano came up with an idea to inspire and empower young women with words by remodeling girls restrooms at the school.
Napolitano sought the support of CVMS Principal Judd Rubin, Canfield Local Schools Superintendent Alex Geordan and Canfield PTO, and received overwhelming support for the project.
The PTO chairs, Napolitano and Rubin met and discussed the vision, brainstormed ideas and talked next steps.
The PTO reached out to one of its members, Sam Nappo, to chair the project. Nappo is an elementary teacher in the Girard Schools.
“With Sam’s guidance and vision, themes and color schemes came to life for two of the girls restrooms. Additional PTO volunteers including Christy Nagi, Becky Eaton, Kevin Dill, Kevin Miller, Sherrie Jacobs, Michelle Napolitano and myself, along with the exceptional custodial staff, led by Keith Moffo, primed and painted the walls during the Thanksgiving break, which prepared the canvas for Sam to complete the inspiring artwork freehand,“ said Canfield PTO President Julie Kwaiser-Miller.
While all the planning was going on, the project was kept a secret from the students.
“All the while, the project was kept a secret from the students. The bathroom project was completed before the students returned to school after Thanksgiving break. The big reveal happened on the first day back and the girls just loved it. They were very surprised - and inspired,” said Kwaiser-Miller.
Napolitano couldn’t have been happier with the results.
“Designing and completing these two restrooms was like writing a love letter to all the girls. Sam Nappo did an incredible job and it was all about passion for her. She used such inspirational quotes which will leave our students feeling uplifted and empowered. The response from the girls has been amazing and I loved that it was a surprise for them,” Napolitano said.
Kwaiser-Miller said the goal of the project was to provide a space for the young girls where they could feel good about themselves and be inspired.
“Self-esteem is at its lowest in middle school. So, our main goal of this project was to transform a small space for these young ladies where they could feel good about themselves. By adding heartfelt messages, we hoped to spread kindness and inspire them to be comfortable in their own skin. We were awe stuck by the final product. How could anyone leave one of the bathrooms feeling down?” said Kwaiser-Miller.