Burnet High School seniors add spot of color to their parking spaces

BURNET — With the Burnet High School marching band providing some background music, senior Madelinne Deitrich popped open the top of a can of paint, settled down on the pavement and went to work on her parking spot.
"It really is a piece of my personality," she said as she worked on the design, a large "M." "I'm a pretty artistic person, and I want it to be something different — something that reflects me."
Across the reserved senior parking lot, colors and designs overtook the plain, black pavement. The morning sun was just starting to warm the surface as Deitrich, and then several more students, got to work.
"Last year, Project Graduation started this," said Pat McBurnett, who along with Marianna McNamara, oversees the parking lot art. "We just picked it up again this year."
Burnet High School set aside a reserved parking area for seniors. The students pay $30 for a reserved spot, but along with the space, seniors also have the option of decorating it. And most, if not all, take advantage of the opportunity.
"The seniors, they really look forward to this," McNamara said. "It's something they can do that reflects them."
The lot has 63 spaces. And by Aug. 5, most of the spaces had a dash of color or a complete piece of art. McBurnett said students must get their design approved before beginning.
But the students definitely put a lot of themselves into the project.
"What's kind of cool is the parents often come up to help them, so it's like a family activity," McBurnett said.
The proceeds from the project go to Burnet High School Project Graduation. The event provides a fun and safe post-commencement celebration for seniors.
"I think it's a great idea," Deitrich said as she worked on her piece. "It raises money for a good cause, and it has the underclassmen excited about it. They're already looking forward to doing it next year."
daniel@thepicayune.com