By Stella Bryson, Sports Editor

Most seniors have been looking forward to certain senior year privileges for over four years. This list of benefits includes senior night for sports, modified schedules and even a new privilege – painting your parking space.

Most seniors also were a little surprised when they found out that ALL students who park at First Flight High School are getting the opportunity to paint their parking spot. As for that unexpected occurrence:

Last summer, Principal Chuck Lansing had a plan. After being approached by rising senior Bryce Owens, Lansing sent out an email to seniors about the opportunity to paint their parking space in the fall. While he meant to just send it to the seniors, the juniors were also attached and received the information as well.

“It was my mistake, but one I’m willing to embrace,” Lansing said. “I hope it turns out twice as great.”

Lansing hopes that by having more students able to paint their spots, more of them will take pride in their school and school spirit will increase. While seniors have been asking for this privilege for the last few years as the tradition has grown more popular at other schools, this is the first time since Covid that he has felt it is safe enough to paint parking spots.

“Last year when we came back, things were still weird with COVID and regulations,” Lansing said. “I was always trying to be cautious and careful to not do something that couldn’t be undone.”

Each spot was painted earlier in the week with a small background canvas in white or light blue. Friday afternoon, students who paid the $10 fee for supplies will get excused from class to finish off their design. First Flight is providing everything students need, from rolling pans and brushes to school-colored paint and accent colors. There will even be a few buckets of sidewalk chalk to sketch your ideas before you paint them.

“We don’t want anyone to bring their own paint because we have to make sure we’re using a water-based latex,” Lansing said. “If somebody brought in something that wasn’t water based, it’ll be there for years and years.”

Which leads to perhaps the most common question students are asking themselves: “What should I paint?”

Senior Zoe Kane has a solution to this one.

“I have a Pinterest board I’ve been working on for a couple of weeks, just to find ideas,” Kane said. “It’s been really helpful.”

By using inspiration from what students at other schools have done, students can create something that is unique to their personality and highlights the kind of creativity that can be found at First Flight. There are many ideas out there, ranging from flower patterns or crazy shapes to funny puns or detailed drawings. Kane already has an idea of what she’s going to paint on her parking space.

“I want to center mine around being a senior and being excited for graduation,” Kane said.

Whatever design students choose, Lansing hopes that by giving them the chance to express themselves, they’ll be excited about the new school year.

“I believe this is a nice addition at this time to continue to grow that feeling of culture and inclusivity,” Lansing said. “Everybody can kind of get their individual messages out.”

Senior Stella Bryson can be reached at 23brysonst69@daretolearn.org.