New school guidelines allow seniors to dress up their parking spaces
by Jessie Allen and Hayzel Davis
A high school senior stands in a near empty parking lot, slowly piecing together a work of art on the cold dry cement. She traces her design on the black ground before beginning the drawn out task of painting, layer by layer, a heartfelt creation of friendship and individuality. Lacey Gibson works long into the afternoon on her masterpiece, carefully painting on the concrete parking lot, adjacent to the school.
For the first time in the history of this school, graffiti art will be condoned and encouraged on school property, under specific guidelines. For $25, seniors are allowed to purchase parking spaces that they can paint with their own designs.
“[The painting] was a student’s idea that Mrs. Pool found. We’ve been working over the summer to set it up,” assistant principal Todd Jones said. “I think it develops a sense of pride [in our school]. Roo spirit, so to speak.”
There were three Saturdays designated for painting: September the 8th, 15th, and 22nd.
“I think it’s a good idea. I know a lot of people worked hard to make this event,” Gibson said. “Everyone’s different so everyone should have a chance to show that. I hope more people do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a good artist or not.”
Students have to provide their own latex-based paint, but they have the benefit of designing their own parking spaces completely individually, given that the designs are within reason. Students are required to submit designs to Admin D for approval, as the designs must meet the standards of the Student Code of Conduct.
“I’ve had several designs submitted already,” Jones said. “All of the designs that have been submitted so far have been just wonderful.”
Amid the many other senior designs, Gibson has chosen to paint Disney-themed cartoon images of Donald, Mickey and Goofy. With the freedom of creating her own design, Gibson and every student is able to craft art that represents them.
“I wanted them to resemble my friends, Bailey Burkes and Allison Belding.” Gibson said. “I [am going to be] Donald Duck and Allison Belding is going to be Mickey and Bailey Burkes is going to be Goofy.”
The complexity of each student’s design is limited only by their imagination, with a little regulation from the school’s Student Code of Conduct. The myriad aspects of each student’s design create completely unique parking spaces, as each student must draw from different experiences, hopes, and dreams.
“I like cartoons and mostly Disney, to be specific,” Gibson said. “I want to design cartoons and stuff for Disney. There aren’t a lot of things that I’m good at so it was nice to show this.”
The senior’s designs are temporary and will only last for their senior year. After this year’s batch of seniors is gone, their parking designs will be erased.
“At the end of the year, we’ll black out the spots so that each year [the parking spaces] will be fresh and new for the [incoming] senior class,” Jones said.
With the introduction of senior parking designs, seniors may also have an opportunity to rejoice as we see a decrease in wonton parking spot theft, as many senior spots now bear the creative signatures of their temporary owners.
“I like the most that every time I look at it, I know that it’s mine and no one has parked there,” Gibson said. “I haven’t had any troubles [parking since then]. For once, I guess, Mickey Mouse is intimidating.”