Hoover High School kicked off the new year with a new tradition: turning senior spots into pieces of artwork. This tradition has been at other schools in the area, and seniors painted their parking spots Oct. 6, according to Hoover rules and guidelines — and they love it.

“I loved being allowed to paint my parking spot,” senior Emma Schenck said. “I was so worried that I would never get to do it, but it’s pretty awesome that my class was the first to do it here. It is such a great opportunity to express your interests and creativity.”

In this project, the student class worked together in multiple ways. Senior and Class of 2025 President Nate Spangler and the rest of the Student Council worked hard to make this project happen for this year’s graduating class.

“Kat Genevish and Moe Salem began to draft a proposal for painting senior parking spots,” he said. “Once Kat and Moe had finished the draft, it was sent to me for editing. I then forwarded the finished draft to our Student Council advisor,
Ms. Stertzbach, to ask permission to send this proposal to Mr. Bornstine on behalf of the Student Council Executive Board.”

Student Council Advisor Ms. Missy Stertzbach is proud of the members for accomplishing this project.

“They did a great job and were able to convince Mr. Bornstine that it would be a worthwhile opportunity,” she said.

The whole project was a great way for friends and family to interact with one another and enjoy their time together.

“My friends and family helped me finalize my design and how we were going to go about painting it,” Schenck said. “I would go to my friends for advice on whether they thought a certain aspect of my design would look good or not.”

Each student was free to come up with their design as long as it was within the rules that were set, letting them express themselves.

“I chose a record player with “Where’d All The Time Go?” by Dr. Dog written above,” Schenck said. “I chose this because music has always held such a special place in my heart. I have always loved listening to music and singing, it is just such a beautiful way to express emotions and ideas.”

From the students who painted their spot to the ones who did not, everyone seems to be enjoying it.

“I was very pleased to see more than 60 parking spots painted,” Spangler said. “I have had many classmates, who did not participate, tell me how nice the parking lot looked after the painting weekend.”

Traditions are a big thing for the students of Hoover.

“As the Class President for the Class of 2025, my classmates frequently approach me with ideas for me to try to make happen,” Spangler said. “Last year, many of my junior classmates complained about the lack of senior traditions at Hoover.”

Seniors hope this tradition continues for the following senior classes to come.

“Getting to see my parking spot every morning when I get to school and every afternoon when I leave is always a highlight of my day,” Schenck said. “Getting to see something that represents me is always a great feeling. It really makes me
proud of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown.”