‘A way to express yourself.’ State High seniors start new tradition before school year begins

State High senior Raegan Dinant was so excited for Friday’s first-time event that she took the day off work, she said as she rolled another layer of light pink paint over the asphalt of the State High senior parking lot. She was one of three dozen seniors scattered around the lot, painting base coats, playing music and sketching out designs onto their number parking spaces.

For the first time, State College Area High School opted to let seniors customize their parking spots. More than 200 students paid the $40 fee, which will go to fund student activities throughout the year.

Principal Laura Tobias said she hopes this will not only get seniors excited for the upcoming year but also help build a strong sense of community for the years to come. The idea was inspired by other schools where painting parking spots has become a beloved tradition, with families and community members helping students decorate each year, Tobias said.

“This is so great to start the year off this way,” she said.

Two weeks prior, Tobias announced the opportunity to seniors, prompting many to immediately head to Pinterest for design inspiration.

“I was so stressed,” Dinant said, explaining her design of a white heart surrounded by flowers on a pink background. “For days on I was like, ‘I just don’t know what to do.’”

Despite most students only having base coats after a morning downpour, every student had a clear idea of what they wanted, with screenshots of Pinterest photos, Philadelphia Eagles stencils and hand-drawn reference pictures.

The customized spaces not only make parking just a little more exciting but will also cut down on the early morning chaos, Tara Hershbine said.

“I was really excited because it kind of gives you a way to express yourself,” Hershbine said. “Because before, nobody had an assigned parking spot, it was a free for all. So by having your own space to kind of make your own, it just makes school feel better.”

The first day of school for State College Area School District students is Aug. 22. Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District starts the same day, with Bald Eagle, Bellefonte and Penns Valley area school districts starting a week later, on Aug. 29.