When you see footprints do you think anything of them? Do you think of the person behind those footprints you may see on the sidewalk? Do you think of those person's stories? Do you think of what they may look like, their skin color, gender, nationality? To most people footprints are just mundane footprints, that wash away with no thought given to them. Footprints may seem to have no lasting effect but to one person footprints go beyond that.
Her name is Kelsey Merrit. She is a senior fashion merchandising major at Kent State who is hoping to break the Guinness world record of the World's largest mural painted by bare feet. The record is currently at 25,363 square feet of bare feet. I got to chance to meet her when I participated in painting with my feet on her beautiful canvases. From getting to know her better and seeing her covered in paint it was clear to me she was after more than just achieving a new world record. When I first met her she welcomed me, a complete stranger and any one else who wanted to partake in her project. Her smile was so warm and her work ethic was inspiring the way she was running around wearing more paint than anything else, scrambling to gather more paint, canvas, and people to make her dream a reality. In all her sleepless nights and stress induced days she still wore a positive smile and had a determined attitude.
When I pressed my feet into black and blue paint I not only became part of history in a way but I got to know Kelsey's true intentions with this project. While walking across a paint covered canvas I began asking Kelsey questions about this huge endeavor. While breaking a world record is great and all, Kelsey has a bigger goal in mind. She told me she truly just wants to inspire other people to do great things.To her this mural isn't just an object, it's a sign of hope, happiness, and positivity for the world. The mural is done in the colors of the Olympic Rings to show diversity and the fact that no matter our differences we are all just human beings at the end of the day.
The day I put my footprints on that mural will be a day that I remember forever. Being covered in paint with my good friend Katie by my side, talking and laughing with people who were no more than strangers, and meeting Kelsey who I can for sure say is a true inspiration to me. Meeting her gave me true faith for the future and that there are people out in the world like her who have big dreams and aren't afraid to do anything possible to achieve them. That day I left Manchester Field with more hope and happiness in my heart than when I arrived. In the world we live in today where all we see in the news is negativity, it's nice to know that good things are happening all around! You just have to look, they could be happening right in your back yard like at Kent State. An estimated 500 people have put their footprints on this mural. The day I participated we were all different people putting our stamp on the world. Women, men, a journalist, a speech pathologist, a biology major, a fashion merchandising student. We all were different people with different personalities, different dreams, different appearances. We all were unique individuals with a common goal. To inspire, to create, raise awareness, and most importantly to give hope. Step by step we were making a difference.