This is the second year that AHS has offered this opportunity to students. It’s not only a chance to ensure their parking spot each day, but it’s a way for the students to express themselves and start their day off on a good note as they see their inspired designs each morning before class.

Fifty parking spots were made available to the seniors who filled out a Google form and paid the $50 fee to select their spot. All of the money raised from this event will go toward their senior class fund for various events throughout the school year and for class needs, like Senior Lounge supplies, event needs, Senior Planning Team, etc.

“I created this fundraiser to build student culture and buy-in to the great things happening at AHS for all students, but this opportunity is literally a way for a senior to leave their mark,” AHS Principal Romeo Bourdage said. “The funds collected are all used for senior students, so it is truly giving back to themselves.”

Some of the paint was even donated by local businesses, like Sherwin Williams, Fitzpatrick’s Hardware, The Home Depot, and more, to help the seniors out. All other supplies and additional paint were purchased by the students for their spots.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Mei Cook is seen working on her parking spot on Aug. 13.

With few boundaries, the students were welcome to get creative with their designs and choose what best fit their personalities.

Seniors chose all sorts of designs that were personal to them, whether it be something they do, something they enjoy, or something that inspires them.

“I’m doing a sun in the night sky, so kind of like an eclipse,” Mei Cook said. “I’ve just always had an interest in drawing suns.”

Other students drew inspiration from their jobs.

“I’m going to do a guest check, like a ticket they write your food order on,” Aili Lee said. “My parents own a restaurant, so I think it’s kind of funny since I’m a server there, too. Initially, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I thought this was fun and made sense for me.”

News Photo by Torianna Marasco A senior’s parking spot is seen painted with smiley faces on Tuesday. The design is a bright and fun way for the student to see each morning as they arrive for class.

Another senior, Myah, explained that she wanted to do a collage of things personal to her.

“I did the mountains because I like to explore and I just visited the Rocky Mountains for ROV Worlds,” she said. “The surfboard is just because I like the beach, and the camera is because I enjoy taking pictures on my Polaroid.”

Meanwhile, others took inspiration from their favorite films, books, TV shows, and musicians.

“I’m doing a ‘Tangled’ theme,” Katie Bushey said, referring to the Disney movie. “I really like the movie and I also just like purple.”

Bushey’s design portrays the lantern scene from the movie with a golden path of lanterns in the purple sky, showing her a fun memory of one of her favorite films each morning.

Courtesy Photo An aerial shot of the AHS parking lot is seen in this courtesy photo.

Another parking spot in the lot featured an adaption of Taylor Swift’s recent “Era’s Tour” poster. The colorful spot features their graduating year and claims the “End of an era” as the seniors ready for their last year and prepare for what’s to come in their next “era.”

Some students displayed fun designs like smiley faces, outdoor scenes, Christmas trees, and more. Be sure to stop by the lot and see all the unique ideas the students came up with.

“The artwork is super creative,” Bourdage said. “It’s awesome to see parents and kids working together in a fun venue and really celebrating the start of the senior year. I encourage the community to stop in and witness the change as the process unfolds.”

All spots are meant to be painted by Monday, which is the first day of school.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@thealpenanews.com.

Courtesy Photo Alpena High seniors are seen painting their parking spots.

Courtesy Photo Myah and her friend, Aili Lee, paint their parking spots which they chose to be next to each other. Myah planned an array of ideas for a collage, while Lee decided to draw inspiration from her job as a server.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco A painted parking spot portrays Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” poster, seen on Tuesday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Katie Bushey, left, works with friends to clean off her parking spot on Aug. 13. Bushey decided to draw inspiration from a favorite movie of hers, “Tangled,” to design her spot.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Myah’s parking spot is seen drying on Tuesday. With each section blocked off, the design portrays several of Myah’s favorite things.

Courtesy Photo A senior at Alpena High paints her parking spot.

Courtesy Photo Alpena High School seniors are seen painting their parking spots in the student lot at the school. This opportunity allows the students to not only secure their parking spot for school each day but also lets them express themselves.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Parking spots at Alpena High School are seen freshly painted by seniors.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco A senior’s parking spot is seen painted with turtles on the beach on Tuesday.