On Friday, February 21, the Los Angeles Rams teamed up with City Year Los Angeles to beautify the campus of Crozier Middle School in Inglewood. As part of the initiative, Rams front office staff, team mascot, Rampage, City Year AmeriCorps Members and City Year staff members painted murals and inspirational quotes around campus to create an environment where students can learn and thrive.

Crozier Middle School's principal, Sylvia Branch, emphasizes the importance of a positive school culture for her students. Through artwork, the Rams and City Year wanted to bring her vision for to life.

"This project is unique for us here at Crozier because it's going to help our scholars with a climate and culture and bring out school spirit," said Principal Branch. "The murals reflect our positive support systems here at Crozier. Things that are being painted are positive action quotes and images that will be uplifting to our scholars, our mascot and home of the Bulldogs. We relish that."

Once the bell adjourned the students for lunch break, they couldn't help but stop and smile when they noticed that what was once a blank wall was now filled with vibrant colors and images.

"It was such a special moment for a lot of students," said Dana Mangaliman, Director of Corporate Development with City Year Los Angeles. "This is a school that doesn't have many murals and for them to see volunteers and a blank wall form into something so colorful is amazing. I heard students say, 'Oh my gosh, that's so cute,' and 'Wow, that's really nice.'"

Throughout the beautification project, volunteers spoke to students as they passed by and would describe the meaning behind a quote or mural. With more than 700 students currently on campus, the artwork is also intended to inspire the future scholars at Crozier.

"We appreciate the partnership with the LA Rams and City Year," said Principal Branch. "Our scholars, staff and I are very grateful that the Rams are taking the time out of their day to come to Crozier in Inglewood Unified School District to help assist our students. Our scholars will be uplifted and it's a project that will never be forgotten."

City Year is a national organization that mobilizes AmeriCorps members for a year of full-time service in underserved communities to serve as tutors, mentors and role models for students to help them graduate high school, college, and become career ready. Since 2017 the Los Angeles Rams have partnered with City Year by sponsoring a team of AmeriCorps members to serve at Grape Street Elementary School in Watts.

The event was part of the team's Staff Day of Service program. Each month, the Rams front office staff takes time out of the office to volunteer with local non-profits. Since returning home to Los Angeles, Rams staff members have provided more than 1,100 hours of community service in the Inglewood community and engaged 13 Inglewood Unified School District schools and students of all grade levels in community programs.

For more information about the Rams' community outreach initiatives, please visit www.therams.com/community.