Seniors take ownership of school parking lot

Traditionally, the student parking lot at Mohonasen High School has been a place for students to park their cars. But now, it is also a source of student pride and ownership.

Representatives of the senior class met with Principal Craig Chandler earlier this year and proposed personalizing their parking spots.

View photos on our Facebook page here.

“I’m always thinking about what spaces in the school the students are able to fully take ownership of,” Principal Chandler said, as he watched students with long rollers painting unique designs into the parking spaces Tuesday morning. Tuesday was a Staff Development Day and students did not have class.

“I always want them to feel comfortable at school,” he said. “So even though this was the students’ idea, it really answers that question of how we can have students claim that ownership.”

About 40 students submitted designs ahead of time that were approved by administration.

Christina Esposito painted a mobile media player of the song “Congratulations” by Post Malone. Instead of the name of the album on the design, she wrote “Senior.”

“I really like Post Malone,” Christina said. “I just thought it was really fitting.”

Charles Woodard painted the symbols for tae kwon do on his parking space.

“I’ve been practicing for the past nine years,” Charles said. “I really like the self-confidence it’s given me. I was really bad at t-ball when I was in third grade, so I tried a different path.”

Other spaces had inspirational quotes, references to favorite movies and TV shows, and other patterns.

Principal Chandler said he expects this will continue as an annual tradition, and even some staff members have approached him looking to do something similar in the staff lot.