Senior parking spot painting party: Carrillo's favorite parking spot-related event

Senior Kenley Hirsch painting her spot a vibrant cyan (Ruby Costa / The Puma Prensa)

By Ruby Costa, Co-Executive Editor & Lauren Chavez, Co-Executive Editor

Senior year at Maria Carrillo High School is packed full of countless opportunities to get involved with the community, but nothing is quite as fun as the senior parking spot painting party.

Starting at 8:30 in the morning on Saturday, August 29, the student parking lot was roped off with caution tape, and people began arriving to begin work on their masterpieces. Music blared from the speakers by the front of the school, and chatter filled the parking lot as parents, students, and family friends all worked together to doll up the parking spots.

Most started with a coat of solid colored paint, but some got right to work on their designs. No doubt a highlight of this event was getting to see each and every student's unique ideas, some being inspired by designs on the Internet, and others creating a design from scratch.

“I think it's important to let the students show their interests, and what they're into, and let them have the freedom to do that on their parking spots,” shares senior Dakota Presler, who was painting a Scooby-Doo design on her own spot— an interest she’s had since she was younger. “It really brings people together, it's a lot of fun with the music, and everybody has a good time bonding.”

Senior Bella Consiglieri agrees that this event is important to allow seniors to “express their artistic creativity.” She comments that “some people’s schools don't let them paint their spots,” and that she’s grateful Carrillo gives them the opportunity. With such a large turnout, it isn’t hard to imagine why Carrillo hosts this event year after year. 

Wrapping up at 2 in the afternoon, many people had finished their spots, but many more had plans to return in the days following to add some finishing touches. This event is something many seniors look forward to throughout their entire high school career, and the convenience of parking so close to the school is certainly appealing as well, adding to the excitement.

For all the seniors out there, this marks an important part of their last year at Carrillo, and for the underclassmen, it's just one more thing to be excited for.