November 11, 2026 | By Katie Lyford | Correspondent
Photo by Corey Hackett
Growing tired of juniors parking in their parking spots at school, seniors at Harwood Union High School recently launched a project to claim their spaces and add some art to the school parking lot.
Senior Brody Hackett said he was familiar with seeing social media posts online where high school seniors personalize their parking spots by painting colorful designs with characters like Curious George and other favorite nostalgic images. He brought the suggestion to school administrators who didn’t object, and the planning got underway this fall.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, Hackett’s vision took shape when seniors had a painting party to launch the new tradition of “purchasing” their own parking spaces and painting them in a design of their choosing.
Hackett’s classmate Marley McVeigh, whom peers dubbed the most artistic senior, was excited to showcase her talents while seeing how others express their personalities. She said she sees the project bringing people together. “High school can sometimes feel divided by different groups, so I love that this project gives everyone a chance to participate in something together and contribute to a shared experience,” she said.
Perfect fit
Harwood Principal Megan McDonough said this project was a perfect fit for the school’s culture.
“We really value student-led ideas at Harwood, especially something that brings joy to our students. It’s that classic ‘say yes when you can,’” she said. “Our community works in tradition and rituals, so it felt like the potential to be another one of those.”
Hackett and fellow seniors Patrick Flaherty, Ryan Lacey and Nora Cosgrove took the lead in organizing the project. Seniors paid between $20 and $40 to participate, depending on proximity of the spot they chose to the school’s entrance. The randomly assigned specific spots within each tier.
Roughly 60 of the 117 students in the senior class paid for a spot. Nearly 40 students showed up to the Sunday painting event. Along with students, some parents joined in, helping to paint, bringing food and music on the sunny afternoon. Hackett said the vibe was amazing, but the group quickly discovered they had underestimated the paint needed. They scheduled a second painting day for Nov. 3 when school was closed for Election Day, allowing time to buy more paint to finish and for some who missed the first session to get painting. Bisbee’s Hardware in Waitsfield and Aubuchon in Moretown both offered a discount and free supplies for the project.
Creativity and a new tradition
Initially, the organizers focused on personal creativity and claiming senior territory. But Flaherty said they also wanted to start a tradition. Cosgrove suggested donating the proceeds from the project to a charity of the class’s choice. Once they finish, they said they will see how much money is left. They have not yet chosen a charity but will poll students to find a common interest.
“My favorite part of this project is seeing how excited everyone in the senior class is to create something that our community can see and appreciate, regardless of their artistic ability,” McVeigh said. “It is such a fun way to bring color and personality to what would otherwise be a pretty boring parking lot!”
Students’ individuality came out not only in what they painted but how they approached the challenge. McVeigh took a methodical approach, sketching designs, getting measurements to space elements evenly; others decided at the last minute. Hackett and a few classmates went the nostalgia route and painted Ninjago characters, while Flaherty, claiming less artistic talent, painted a Minecraft quote: “New Achievement: The End”; Charlotte Burks is painting postage stamps and a lyric by singer Noah Kahan, “You’re gonna go far,” and Cosgrove, who said she is chronically late, said her design would have a bed.
Flaherty credited McDonough’s open-mindedness and support to the project’s success, while McDonough gives complete credit to the students.
“It’s the bright spot, right? Those moments that I get to have fun with the kids and think about doing things that bring them joy and supporting it,” McDonough said.
McVeigh said she was excited about how the project ties community and legacy together.
“Harwood is known for having a strong sense of school spirit, and I think this project really highlights how connected our school community is,” she said. “It reminds me how lucky we are to attend a school where we have opportunities like this to express ourselves, work together, and leave something meaningful behind.”
Lyford is a community reporting fellow receiving civic reporting training through the Journalism New England Career Lab.