Milan Senior Leaves His Mark with School Mural

As Milan High School seniors prepared for their final days of class, Keegan Bates was finishing something that will stay behind.

Bates recently completed a large mural inside the high school, using Milan’s red, black and white colors to bring together familiar symbols: the Crooked Tree, a Big Reds bird and downtown buildings.

The tree carries a deeper local history. According to the Milan Area Historical Society, Milan’s Crooked Tree was a sugar maple that stood at the northwest corner of Dexter and County streets. The tree died and was cut down in 1960, but its image remains part of Milan’s story.

The mural project grew out of another piece of student artwork: Bates’ senior parking spot. His space featured a Big Reds bird and “2026” stretched across the bottom. Bates said the white outline around the tree in the mural uses the same paint color from the parking spot.

“That parking spot kind of led to this,” Bates said.

Bates said he began working on the design digitally in December and started painting around spring break. He used a projector for the tree, but much of the rest was done by hand, using reference photos for the buildings.

The mural took about two months to complete, with Bates working during art class and after school. At the same time, he was balancing AP chemistry, track, soccer and another art project for a student competition.

Bates competes in long jump and hurdles and played defense on the soccer team, where he was a captain. After graduation, he plans to study construction management.

For Bates, the mural is more than a decoration. He described it as his interpretation of Milan and the school’s traditions.

“I guess this is just my interpretation of Milan and the tradition and spirit of it,” Bates said.

He said the building represents the community, including family and friends. The bird, he said, represents character, along with Milan’s dedication and drive in athletics, while the tree represents tradition and past years.

The finished mural now gives future students something to pass by, look at and recognize as part of their school.

“I’m glad I get to do these things,” Bates said.

When asked whether he plans to keep making art after graduation, Bates said he hopes to.

“I’ll definitely try,” he said.

Featured image: Milan High School senior Keegan Bates stands beside the mural he painted inside the school. The mural includes the Crooked Tree, a Big Reds bird and downtown buildings. Photo by Heather Finch