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A space of their own

NHS seniors share story behind personalized parking spaces

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera Photos by Lizz Daniels & Jarred Kindles

favorite senior tradition has made its return to Navarro High School. After a few weeks of enjoying their new claimed spot on campus, Navarro seniors are sharing their thoughts thus far of their own painted and personalized parking spaces. The tradition which fizzled out over the past couple of years has returned thanks to this year’s Project Graduation committee.

Committee member Michelle Cunningham says it was important to not only fundraise but to help rebuild those senior traditions – traditions that unfortunately have taken a backseat throughout this pandemic.

“It’s been a couple of years since Navarro has done the parking lot painting for Project Graduation. It’s a fundraiser. The students were able to pay $100 and put their name in a drawing for a specific parking space and once, they got their parking space, then they were allowed to paint and decorate it however they wanted to so over the course of about two weeks, they got their parking spot identified. They came and drew it out. They painted and we came up with this amazing -- it’s probably about 66-67 parking spots that are just beautiful and funny and creative and the kids had a great time. They were able to spend time with their families when they were painting when they were painting....”

“They were able to spend time with their friends. So, it was a good way to get some of these seniors together, to do something creative and to enjoy that time and also start raising for the Project Graduation event that we are planning for the night of graduation for these youth,” said Cunningham.

Photo by Lizz Daniels

Among those enjoying a space of her own is Senior Sabrina Sneed. Sneed says her space reflects her journey prior to

arriving to the Navarro ISD as a seventh grader.

“We were given the option to like express ourselves, pick anything we want. We just had to turn in a rough draft to make sure it was appropriate, but it was a lot of fun. I picked a sunset with waves since I am from Hawaii. I was raised in Hawaii, so I just wanted to put a little bit of myself on there, so I drew a sunset and some waves and wrote my name at the bottom. It was so fun. I really enjoyed it,” said Sneed.

Senior Emily Cunningham says not only was she able to share some of her favorite things, but she was also able to kick off her senior year with family and friends.

“I just decided to go ahead and include my personality and I’m really into cows and cactus and that’s been my theme for a while so being able to include my theme and then have my family come out and help me especially my senior year, it was really meaningful, and it was a lot of fun to have especially with friends around to help as well,” said Cunningham.

While some seniors admit it took them some time to come up with an idea, others like Senior Justin Hawes says they couldn’t wait to get started.

Photo by Lizz Daniels

“I thought it was really cool because I could pull in as late, I want to and no one is going to be in this spot. I thought it was going to be like really fun and express myself and like make it funny in a way. It’s a handicap sign and it says, ‘Hawes Parking Only.’ It’s got like flames coming out the back. I’ve had it since like freshman year because I heard they were going to be doing it and I got really excited and I thought it was going to be super dumb to do that and so I was like ‘I’ve got to live my life making freshman Justin proud,’ so that’s how I did it,” laughed Hawes.

For some, like Senior Jacqueline Springs, customizing their parking spot was not as easy as they imagined but believe that in the end, it was well worth the effort.

“I really like nature and flowers are like my favorite plants. So, I did Dogwood flowers because I think those are really pretty every year and it was kind of a fun activity to do – getting to paint them. Just my mom and I came out here and I think we were out here like seven hours or something trying to paint it. It took forever but it was still fun,” said Springs.

The pops of art seem to have also lessened the stress of being a senior student. At least that’s the case for Senior Cole Mouser.

“I personally like the parking spots because last year, I had a big problem with showing up like pretty decently – I wasn’t late – I showed up on time for my class, but I always had to park in the back lots and everything. I think it’s pretty solid to have my own little spot to come here like if I was to be a little late because these are like always taken.” So, I am just glad I have my own spot,” said Mouser. Senior Grace Hambric says the works of art have no doubt made senior year fun again and thanks the Project Graduation Committee for returning the tradition to the students.

“I think it’s a nice tradition for us to start as seniors so that the grades after us can do it and it’s nice to raise money for Project Grad,” said Hambric.

Photo by Lizz Daniels

Brandi Stringer, high school librarian and a senior parent, says the committee has hit the ground running to ensure that seniors celebrate with a party of their own the night of graduation. She says while specifics for the event on May 27, 2022, are still being planned out, the committee has already committed to a list of fundraising activities to help make that night happen. “Project Grad is so important simply because that event keeps them off the roads that night. It keeps them safe. We don’t want our kids to miss out on the important activities because of a pandemic so we are just trying to modify what we are doing so that what we are doing still enables them to be able to participate in the events,” said Stringer.

Stringer says she reminds other senior parents that although graduation is not until May, the memories of their child’s senior year are well underway.

“Don’t sit back and wait for things to happen for your kids because if somebody does not step up and work towards getting things done, it might not happen. So, we encourage every parent to jump in and help us because it’s important for these things to happen and if they are not helping, it makes it difficult especially with us being a smaller district. We don’t have as much funds as other districts do to do things like this. So, we need parent involvement to make them happen. We definitely want their support,” said Stringer.

The group this past Friday held a bake sale and silent auction at the home football game. Other events currently on schedule include a BBQ Dinner, Washer Tournament and Silent Auction at the Geronimo VFW on Feb. 5 and the annul Senior Serve on Feb. 27. Parents, donors and supporters wishing to contribute to the project are asked to visit the Project Graduation page found under the parent’s tab at nisd.us. •

Photo by Jarred Kindles