Seniors Already Making Their Mark At OHS

Casey Hill paints his number on ‘Indian Trail’ to start his senior year at Oskaloosa High School. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – It’s an annual tradition at Oskaloosa High School. The senior class takes to the street and paints their names on the roadway leading into the parking lot for the high school.

The tradition has been moved from the city street to the parking lot, or ‘Indian Trail’, for safety reasons, but the school spirit it generates hasn’t been diminished.

Emily Lumsden was painting a sunflower. Afterward, she wrote her name in cursive next to her artwork.

The paints used for the project have to be water-based, such as acrylic paints.

Casey Hill also enjoyed making his mark on the ‘Indian Trail’ this week, “leaving our first senior mark, staring off our senior year in a good way.”

For Hill, starting off his senior year is filled with mixed emotions. “You’re happy that you’re going on to better things, but you’re also sad because you won’t see a lot of these guys and girls again.”

OHS Senior paint their names and numbers on ‘Indian Trail’ this past week. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

“It’s alright, we get to start it off good here, but a lot of mixed emotions,” added Hill.

On the ‘Indian Trail,’ Hill painted ‘C Hill #22’ which is his number and favorite sport of football.

For Hill, both of his sisters painted their names on the street, and remembers it being the fun part, dodging traffic and the police. “It was always a thrill rush, even though you could get in trouble. I’m glad that we can still do it, because they wanted to take it away, and I’m glad Mrs. Gile was able to make sure we could do it. It’s kind of cool because it’s our lane going right into the school.”

Mrs. Kim Gile said the tradition is a way for the incoming senior class to leave their mark.

Gile believes that the tradition started some years ago, and typically happened around homecoming, with seniors painting on North 3rd Street, and taking risks by being out late at night. “We didn’t want the kids to get in trouble, so the student council came up with the idea that we could paint back here and just have a designated spot for everybody to come and do it at a certain time, and it’s worked out much better.”

“I just really enjoy seeing the kids excitement. They get such a kick out of doing this, and it’s neat that we can let them keep doing it,” added Gile.

For Gile, students express that it’s hard to believe they are now seniors, and with that, some express they are scared because adulthood looms for them on the horizon. “This is their comfort. They’ve known this for 13 years of school and now, all of a sudden, they’re going to be apart.”

Lisa Alderson, the parent of a senior student, said there is some sadness, “but it’s kind of like a right of passage. I’m excited for them. I’m glad it’s finally their turn. They get to do it, and how fun is this.”

As a mother, Alderson says she wishes time would slow down, and “that they were all in 6th grade again instead of the 12th grade.”

“Enjoy every moment,” added Alderson.