Students at Charles Henderson High School have been given the option to paint their parking spots for the first time this year.

“I think it’s going to be really fun,” said Diana LoCascio, a secretary at CHHS. “I think it’s going to look nice.”

All students wanting to paint their spot had to submit the design to CHHS Principal Brent Harrison before being allowed to wet their brushes.

“I’ve seen the idea at other schools,” Harrison said. “It is a great way for students to express themselves at school, which is not always typical.”

Harrison said that any student wanting to paint his or her parking spot must pay a fee of $50. LoCascio explained that the fee would cover the cost of repainting when a new school year comes around. As students graduate, or want to repaint their spots, the school will have the lot repainted.

“As you go through the years, you may want to put that you are a senior,” LoCascio said. “We will be painting over those who are graduating and moving, but that’s OK. That’s the fun of it.”

In addition to funding the repainting of the lot, the money also goes back to the school to help with funding supplies or other school needs.

Christina Lecroy, a senior at CHHS, painted her spot, hoping to express herself in a fun way.

“I painted a bunch of shapes,” Lecroy said. “I like to do that as an art. That’s just my thing to do … it sounded fun and it was an opportunity to express myself.”

Painting her parking spot was more than a fun project for Lecroy. She aimed to make her parking spot reflect her personality.

“It has a bunch of bright colors, and I try to be a bright person,” Lecroy said. “I just try to reflect colorfulness into everyday life.”

Lecroy said she has enjoyed seeing new parking spots being painted and hopes that more students join in the fun.

“It’s starting to catch on,” Lecroy said. “More students are painting every day.”

Harrison also wanted to encourage more students to become involved.

“I think a lot of students think it’s just a senior thing,” Harrison said. “But it is for anybody that is driving and parking here at school.”

Harrison explained that the lot is designed perfectly for this kind of project because it is one big lot right in front of the school, making it easier for him to monitor the artwork. With more and more spots being painted, the parking lot will soon look like a collage of art, representing the school as a whole, while at the same time reflecting each individual student.

“I think it just shows a lot of school spirit and shows ownership of the school,” LoCascio said. “This is a way you can do that and have fun with it, too.”