By Kate Sturgill
Op/Ed Editor
It’s that time of year when the R.J. Reynolds High School graduating class of 2026 coats their parking spots in black and passes the paintbrush to the incoming class of 2027 to carry on the annual parking lot adornment. Whether you’ve seen them on the PTSA’s Instagram page or during the rush through the senior parking lot to get to class before the bell marks you tardy, chances are you’ve taken at least one glance at all the customized parking spaces.
Some are eye-catching because of how neat they are, and some are so creative you can’t help but do a double-take. While all the spots look terrific because they reflect the “park-ees’” individuality, a few stand out for different reasons: school spirit, creativity, cuteness, and overall design.
The first category up: most school spirit. This spot screams “I go to RJR” in the best way possible and fills passersby with a sense of demon pride each time they see it. The design combines a piece from the game of Mahjong with the RJR school mascot, and the light green background makes the words pop, pulling the space together while showcasing what it looks like to celebrate your school. The winner of this category plays two different sports here at RJR, so she is well-versed in the Alma Mater and knows what it means to show love for RJR. The Demon Parking Pride Award goes to Mary Leinbach.
“I chose the joker [piece] because it represents the unexpected moments and surprises that will come throughout my senior year,” Leinbach said. “Because of the rain and heat, I spent four days painting my spot, and I didn’t realize how hard it would be. Painting the demon was my biggest challenge. Overall, it was fun to be with my friends, and I think I did well on my spot!”
The next category is: most creative design. This spot is unlike any other; the clever, yet whimsical design draws onlookers in to reminisce about a tangly game from when they were younger (or maybe they still play). The Twister-inspired artwork makes it one of the most unique designs in the lot, and the Creativity Award goes to senior Mary-Dell Currie. “I felt a lot of pressure to pick something funny that also looked pretty, so I looked around on Pinterest for something fun and different, which happened to be Twister,” Currie said. “The hardest part was doing the math to figure out how to place the circles and fit the letters inside each circle. My mom and I were a perfect team; I would outline the design in chalk, and she helped fill it in. The whole experience wasn’t too bad, and I had a lot of fun.”
The third category is: the cutest, as anyone who sees this spot exhales an “aww.” This spot depicts a popular Japanese glow-in-the-dark collectible figurine called a Smiski. The simply shaped creatures are typically found in “blind boxes” doing everyday things, like reading or putting on socks. The mastermind behind this adorable design, and the winner of the Cutest Spot Award, is artistic senior Tessa Domencech.
“I was inspired because I like collecting Smiskis because they’re cute; I also have two on the dashboard of my car,” Domenech said. “[The decorating process] started well with the green background and the lace trim, but I made a mistake and painted the Smiski too small, so I added stars and swirls after I finished to fill in the extra space. I’m really proud of the finished product, and I think it was worth all the time it took.”
The final category is: best overall design. The design is so nice, it was done twice. Most seniors you talk to who park in the lot will remember it if you ask. The colors and attention to detail are what make it remarkable to anyone who spots it. The winner of the Overall Best Design Award is senior Dancing Boot Josephine “Jojo” Rose. “I have always loved Tame Impala, and I wanted to incorporate a quote like ‘Let It Happen,’ so doing the ‘Let It Happen’ album cover and putting the quote below it felt very fitting,” Rose said. “My design has taken me a very long time to finish, but I like painting, so it has been pretty enjoyable. I feel like the result really showcases some artistic ability that I don’t show much, and I also feel like this throughout the year, the quote will resonate with me going into college application season and deciding where I want to go with my future.”
If your spot wasn’t mentioned, don’t fret; every spot showcases talent and creativity, and the ones recognized above represent that. RJR lets seniors do this so students can use self-expression and a personal touch to improve the school’s look after waiting their turn for four years. Some choose to use a design that incorporates their experience at RJR, and some decorate their spot based on what they love or are even looking forward to. If you are a senior who decorated a spot, great work, but if you’re an underclassman who wants to add a personal touch to yours one day, start thinking about what you want to paint before senior year creeps up on you.