Putting their passions on the pavement: Mahar seniors paint custom parking spots

ORANGE — Art class began a bit early at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School this year. Seniors with driver’s licenses started custom-painting their designated parking spaces outside the school about three weeks ago so they will have a personalized spot to keep their vehicles during the day throughout their final year. “It started last year,” rising senior Mackenzie Matthews said next to spot 44 on Thursday morning. She said roughly 10 seniors painted spaces last school year and that number is expected to increase to 25 or 30 this time around.

An avid sports fan, Matthews painted her spot as one-third soccer field, one-third softball field and one-third basketball court. She explained that seniors can paint anything that reflects their interests or passions, as long as it is school-appropriate. She said social sciences teacher Craig Reid, also the senior class advisor, is overseeing the students’ project. Many students have chosen to paint their spaces in the evenings, when it is cooler.

The first day of school is Aug. 26. Some of the painted spots depict a taco on wheels, bees and sunflowers, Garfield the cartoon cat, and posters advertising various Mahar Theater Department plays. One spot, an homage to country music legend Dolly Parton, is painted bright pink and features a pair of cowboy boots. In cursive, it reads, “If Dolly can do 9 to 5, then I can do 8 to 2,” a nod to one of Parton’s most famous songs.

Two students collaborated to have their connected spots depict an American flag.