Student advocacy and creativity transform a neighborhood intersection with new safety features and vibrant community murals. 

As students return to classrooms across Seattle Public Schools (SPS), many are making their way to school on foot or by bike. In fact, about one in three SPS students walks or bikes to school, making safe routes to school an important part of supporting student well-being and success. 

At Denny International Middle School, a group of student leaders took that responsibility to heart. 

Members of Denny’s Associated Student Body (ASB) identified pedestrian safety concerns near campus and decided to take action. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration with community partners, students helped bring new street safety improvements to the area surrounding their school. 

After meeting with Diane Walsh from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), students shared ideas for making crossings safer, including all-way stops and curb bulbs designed to improve visibility for pedestrians. 

“This project not only matters to me but many people because of the importance that it signifies to our community and the sense of security and safety to all,” said Denny eighth grader June Seely. 

This summer, the students’ ideas became reality. New safety improvements were installed near the school, helping create safer routes for students, families, and neighbors traveling through the area. 

The project came at an important time. With thousands of SPS students walking, biking, riding the bus, or traveling through neighborhoods each day, street safety is a shared community responsibility. Drivers are encouraged to slow down in school zones, stay alert for students at crossings, and follow directions from crossing guards to help ensure every student arrives safely. 

For Denny students, however, the project was about more than infrastructure. It was also an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on their community. 

After the curb bulbs were installed, students designed and painted colorful murals that reflect the culture, environment, and connections that make their school community unique. 

Former Denny student Dylan Knapp, now a student at Chief Sealth International High School, helped bring the project to life. 

“It was great to be a part of something that will last for a long time and know that our ASB helped to make the school safer and brought our creativity to the project. I’m proud of the work we’ve done!” Knapp said. 

Each mural tells a different story. Inez Olsen’s flower design celebrates the beauty of nature and the rain that helps keep Seattle green. Olive Fitzpatrick’s underwater scene features an octopus reading a book alongside Denny’s dolphin mascot and Chief Sealth’s seahawk mascot, symbolizing the close connection between the neighboring school communities. Lillian Stowell’s Duwamish River-inspired design highlights the importance of the river and the salmon that make their journey to Puget Sound, mirroring students’ own journeys through middle school and beyond. 

Together, the murals add color, creativity, and a sense of belonging to the neighborhood while making the walk to school more welcoming. 

For Maggie Branson, Denny’s ASB advisor, the project showcases the power of student leadership and civic engagement. 

“What makes me most proud is that this project was truly student-led,” Branson said. “Our students identified a need, advocated for change, and got to see their ideas become reality. Seeing our neighbors enjoy the improvements and watching students and families use the new crosswalks has been so rewarding. It’s a great reminder of the impact students can have when we give them a voice.” 

As the new school year gets underway, the improvements near Denny serve as a visible reminder that students can be powerful advocates for safer, stronger communities. Through their leadership, Denny scholars helped create a safer walk to school for current and future generations of students.