VRHS Senior Parking Lot Explodes With Color and Good Vibes!

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — It was a beautiful morning, Wednesday, October 13, for the Valley Regional High School class of 2022 to make some memories and start a new tradition. As part of a Safe Grad fundraiser, seniors with parking places got the chance to channel their creative prowess and customize their parking places, by spray painting them with their own signature art.

Although the idea has been orbiting around for a few years now, this is the first time this fundraiser has been put into action and according to VRHS principal, Mike Barile and President of the Safe Grad program Susan Strecker, the event was a huge success.

"Look at this! These kids are all outside, making memories together, having a good time and being creative, this is what it's really all about," said Strecker with a smile. "And, we raised over $2,000 for the Safe Grad program. This is great!"

Students expressed themselves with a variety of designs; the most abundant were happy faces and flowers, but a stray squid found its way into the mix as did Garfield, along with other colorful designs and positive messages such as; Happy Valley and Life is Good.

"I chose flowers because I think it represents my personality very well," said Grace Haskins, who thought this Senior activity was a great idea and a lot of fun.

"It's something new, we're outside and it's something we haven't done before. So, I think it's fun," said Loretta Cecchini. "I hope it becomes a tradition for all senior classes."

Mercedes Peno said she choose to decorate her spot with green and white flowers and the message of "Life is Good" because it's good to spread positivity.

"Last year our class struggled with Covid so this is a nice activity for us to do to bring us together and help us all share school pride for Valley," added Peno.

"This is an opportunity to work on social and emotional learning," said Principal Barile. "This is a great group of kids and they have gone through a lot with Covid, so this was an opportunity to get them outside, together and start a new tradition that they can be proud of."

He added, "It has already become the talk of the school and I think this is something that the upcoming classes will be looking forward to doing when they are seniors."

Valley's 9th, 10th and 11th graders were busy taking the PSAT tests, while the seniors were outside having fun. In past years, the school has always tried to find a way to keep the seniors occupied while testing was going on.

"It is a perfect activity for today with the testing going on," said Strecker. "It helps to keep the seniors occupied and together, socializing and having a great time."

The school provided the students with a special breakfast and lunch while the activity was going on, as well as, the spray paint and chalk needed for the art so that 100 percent of the proceeds from the event went to Safe Grad. According to Stretcher, there are 125 senior parking places and 100 of them choose to participate in the event. A donation of $25 per parking space was requested.

An all-inclusive event, those students who didn't have parking spaces, or choose not to donate, had the chance to help others paint their spaces. In addition, students from the Life Skills program at VRHS, worked their own magic and painted the handicapped spaces at the front of the school, to share in Valley pride.

Barile thanked Strecker and the entire group of volunteer parents and teachers who made the first-time event such a great experience and he is already looking forward to doing it all again with the class of 2023, he said.

"We are so lucky we have such a great class, such great kids and such a supportive administration," said Strecker. "This was so fun and the best part is that it benefits the seniors for Safe Grad and brought everyone together."

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