Los Angeles’ oldest high school will be honoring one of its most famous alumni Thursday as part of an annual open house event that highlights the school’s academics and extra curricular activities.

“An L.A. High Showcase,” scheduled for 6-8 p.m. at the high school, located at 4650 W. Olympic Blvd., will feature exhibits, booths and performances from Los Angeles High School students and faculty.

Artist Richard Wyatt put the finishing touches Wednesday on a Ray Bradbury mural at Los Angeles High School. The artist worked with students on painting the mural. It will be unveiled Thursday evening.
(photo courtesy of Joyce Kleifield)

During the event, organizers will hold a ceremony in the school’s remodeled Ray Bradbury Library, and will unveil a mural in honor of the author who attended the school in the 1930s.

“It’s just kind of a celebration of our illustrious alum, as well as a celebration of reading and what education really means,” said Joyce Kleifield, executive director of the Alice G. Harrison Memorial Trust, which is sponsoring the showcase. “We’re really proud of this space and the opportunity it will offer to the students.”

The idea to do something for Bradbury came from librarian Tikisha Harris, who was inspired after the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs chose “Fahrenheit 451” during its annual “Big Read” event, Kleifield said. The book was assigned reading for students, but Harris wanted to do something special.

Thanks to the trust, which was founded in 1960 to support programs and students, the school received $10,000 in private donations to use for the mural, Kleifield said. Los Angeles-based muralist Richard Wyatt, with students’ help, painted the piece in two months.

Kleifield also used the school’s alumni network to connect with two of Bradbury’s daughters, Susan Nixon and Ramona Ostergren, who are scheduled to attend the event.

“The most exciting thing is going to be able to see their faces when we unveil this mural,” Kleifield said. “I get goosebumps looking at it.”

While the mural is the centerpiece of the event, Kleifield stressed the importance of the annual open house, which is an opportunity for the public to see “the real stuff” that goes on at the school.

This year, principal Helena Yoon-Fontamillas came up with the idea to allow visitors to walk through classrooms and auditoriums to get a more hands-on and visual experience, Kleifield said.

For example, there will be performances by the dance team, drama club and band, demonstrations by the robotics and culinary programs and art, science and video exhibits. More than 200 students, faculty and other staff worked to put it all together, Kleifield said.

“It’s a public high school, so we want to showcase what we’re doing,” she said. “I think it’s worth it, so the public can see the real stuff that’s going on here.”

The event is free, but an RSVP is required for the mural unveiling, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. To RSVP and for information, email the Alice G. Harrison Trust at harrisontrustlahs@gmail.com.