LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) – The program for Wednesday night’s State of the State Address will feature artwork by a local student honoring the victims of the Nov. 30 mass shooting at the school, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday.
The program will “pay tribute to the victims, families, and entire Oxford community,” with a painting by a local student named Luke.
The painting was inspired by a photo that was taken in the parking lot of Oxford High School the week before the shooting that claimed the lives of four students – 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin and 17-year-old Justin Shilling – and wounded seven others, including six students and a teacher.
Whitmer says the meaningful art piece will be featured inside the 2022 State of the State program cover.
“What is most special to me about Oxford are the stunning sunsets and sunrises atop North Oxford Road which brings light to a new day,” the artist said, per a press release from Whitmer’s office.
Whitmer says Oxford is “a strong, resilient community, and Michiganders everywhere stand with the victims, families, and entire community,”
“Luke’s depiction of the Oxford sky is beautiful,” she said. “It reminds all of us to look up and look out for each other. I want to thank Luke for taking the time to create this masterpiece and for enshrining something he loves about his hometown into Michigan’s history.”
Whitmer is set to speak on her vision for the state during Wednesday’s virtual address, which will begin at 7 p.m.
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