Chapel Hill Seniors paint parking spots for 2019-20 School Year

Published 10:00 am Sunday, August 18, 2019

Senior Macy Rakestraw, 17, puts down a fresh coat of black paint on her parking spot Saturday morning, Aug. 17, 2019, at Chapel Hill High School in New Chapel Hill. (Cara Campbell/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

When Chapel Hill High School starts classes on Tuesday, almost 60 seniors will do so in style with personalized parking spots.

Some high school seniors, with help from family and friends, set up shop Saturday morning in the school’s parking lot to paint their senior parking spaces.



Themes were as diverse as the students painting them. Designs included cityscapes with sunsets, cows, giant lemons and more. Several students also included their name, class year and a quote that was special to them.

Senior Head Drum Major Roni Railsback pulled inspiration from the quote “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” incorporating a giant yellow lemon in her design. She said she interprets the quote as meaning “get what you can while you’re here” and looks forward to the experiences she’ll have in her senior year.

Chapel Hill High School Assistant Principal Karen Bender said having the seniors paint their own parking spots raises morale and funds for their class.

“It is a spirit thing for the seniors …” Bender said. “We want them to feel special and this is one of the ways we can do that … and it’s just fun and makes that bond in the classroom as well.”

The tradition started about three years ago. This year, nearly 60 parking spaces will be painted, each senior paying $20 to personalize their spot. Bender said those funds will be used to support different activities for the senior class in the coming 2019-20 school year.

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