I think both adults and students can understand the logic behind having what we call “an unassigned-assigned” parking spot–the place that might not have your name written on it, but you always park there. The same goes for the pew you always sit in church or “your” place on the couch or at the table. When those spots are taken by someone else, it just feels wrong! We can’t help you at home or church, but now there will be a new way to show students which parking spots have been claimed at Rocky Mount Academy–at least for our upcoming seniors.

Painting parking spaces so that each senior has a personalized spot is a trend that has been spreading to high schools across the US. I knew that I was dying to make it reach RMA and had heard from my fellow juniors that they would not be opposed to the idea either. This past fall, I approached Mr. Tucker and quickly learned that senior parking has been brought up multiple times in the past. As we all know, it had not been implemented before, which meant that just bringing it up would not be enough to get the school on board. 

I knew that there had to be some way that we could make this a positive, school-wide experience for all of the Eagle family–something meaningful that would make it all worthwhile and win admin’s approval. Thinking about why these parking spots would be more than just fun, I realized the opportunity to paint parking spaces would be a bonding experience for the student body: the new seniors would get together on designated days, hang out, and work before the school year kicked off. I also thought about how this senior parking spot could benefit the school as a fundraiser.  As you might know, graduating classes always present the school with a “senior gift” each year–usually a monetary donation–but with increased funds, students could be even more generous. Once I explained this logic to Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Tucker, they agreed that we could implement this program starting next year (Fall 2025).

So how will this be accomplished, you might ask? Let me explain. Upcoming seniors will all be given a form where they will do a mockup of their design for their parking spot; this plan will then be signed off on by a member of the administrative office. After the approval, the senior will sign that they agree to use only latex or water-based acrylic paint (so nothing too permanent), and they will be responsible for cleaning up the spot at the end of the year. Along with their signed agreement, each upcoming senior will bring in $35. All of this money will be collected and go towards the school for admin to spend in any way they would like as they work to make RMA the best it can be.

Now for the fun part! Once July 30th hits, the parking lot will be open for seniors to come in and paint their spots, so they will be ready by the first day of school and give the upper parking lot a new, fun, and colorful look! Sometime within the first week of the fall trimester, all fifth graders–who have been paired with the seniors since Pre-K!–will go out to the parking lot with their senior buddies to place a handprint on their senior’s spot as a symbol of their special relationship. 

Juniors have already received their forms, and I’ve heard several talking about options for designs. We may have just a few days and exams left as juniors, but we’re ready to embrace all the privileges of senior year!