GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) –  The paint departments at local hardware stores know that during this time of year, they need to have extra staff on hand to mix a variety of colors and help outfit a host of seniors with the needed supplies to make their mark, and leave it for all to see, during their last year at Gridley High School.

A tradition that goes back so far that locals have trouble remembering how and when it exactly started, Senior Street Painting is a beloved part of senior culture at Gridley High School.

The event is usually held a few weekends into the school year and before homecoming celebrations. Seniors get the opportunity to paint their parking spaces on E. Spruce Street in front of the school with important quotes, scenes and inside jokes with their peers.

A large amount of seniors and parents turned out Saturday Sept. 13 to memorialize their senior year by painting their parking spaces. Photo by Seti Long

Saturday, Sept. 14, Seniors brought paints and supplies to campus early, staking out their parking spot or the closest to it, to express their essence or something that was meaningful to them.

From shout-outs to their declared colleges or meaningful quotes, seniors took most of the morning and early afternoon to create something special in their parking spaces.

Senior Gemma Donati told the Herald that she hadn’t put a lot of thought into her design but ended painting a meaningful family reminder.

“It’s an inside joke with my family, ‘sunset – reset’, kind of like a calm-down thing.” Says Donati. “I figured it was a good thing to remind myself, like, it’s going to be a crazy year, but I’ll just stay calm.”

Senior Ciara Robinson painted a golden flower on a purple background with the quote “Now my life begins” from Rapunzel next to her friend Asher Kimberling. He painted a black “chalk outline” on a white background and moody pickle with his gamer tag “grumpy pickle” next to it.

The public can view the artistic abilities and creativity of Gridley High School seniors simply by driving the East Hazel and Spruce Street loop in front of the school.