BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — As local students head back to school, seniors at Northview are starting their year off with a fresh coat of paint.
The 2026 graduating class at Northview High School has to do many things the same. They all have to take the same classes to graduate, and once they do, they will all be wearing the same cap and gown.
However there is one section of the school that they get to personalize as they go into their final year.
Vice Principal Bryan Strain said seniors are allowed to purchase a parking spot for $5 and then paint the spot however they choose.
“We’ve done this for several years now”, Strain said. “It gives us a chance to let the students claim their spot, show a little bit of individuality, and they enjoy doing it.”
The money goes into the students senior year fund, helping to upgrade events like prom.
Some students, like Hemlock Lynch, base their parking spot on their favorite hobby.
“There is this older game called Fallout New Vegas and I painted a character from it called Yes Man”, Lynch said. “Its one of my favorite games and I really like the character so I decided to do that.”
Others, like Ian Pittman, team up to create a bigger design.
“It was a really fun experience”, Pittman said. “My friend, Owen, and I did a formula one theme, we did it together because our parking spots are right next to each other. It was really fun, it took around 10 to 15 hours to do.”
Each design takes hours or even days to complete, but Assistant Principal Strain said the satisfaction the students get out of it makes the labor worth it.
“We start about a week before school starts”, Strain said. “During the afternoon, if its hot, I’ll go out and check on them and they’re always positive. They’re always enjoying it, its a great experience.”
Assistant Principal Strain said the only guidelines the students have the follow is to make their designs school appropriate and they haven’t had a single issue yet.
