In the midst of picking up schedules, taking senior pictures and applying to college, Coppell High School seniors have one more rite of passage going into their senior year – painting parking spaces.

The tradition started about four years ago, but has become one of the more exciting ones for seniors to participate in. It serves as a fundraiser for the senior class with each senior paying 30 dollars to paint their reserved spot. Students must submit a plan to the administration before they can start painting, but there are not major restrictions on what students can do.

Starting in the beginning of August, soon-to-be seniors will fill the parking lot for hours late at night to paint their spots. For many seniors, it is their first big senior activity and also serves as a way for students to come back together after a summer apart. At the end of the year, there is a contest for categories such as most school spirited and most creative, and these winners get free prom tickets.

“Painting our senior parking spots was really fun, and it was one of our first memories as seniors,” senior Jen Olson said. “It is a lot of work but it is also really fun to stay up late and see everyone you haven’t talked to in a while.”