Students prepare by painting the town red (and blue)
Staff writer
Holding paint brushes and climbing ladders, the entire Marion High School student body decended Thursday onto Main St. to decorate businesses in for Old Settlers Day and homecoming.
The activity has taken place for the past four years, Marion High School principal Donald Raymer said.
“Its part of what we do,” Raymer said. “We do provide a positive culture.”
The high school knows Old Settlers is important to the community, he said.
“We wanted to take the time to show our appreciation and thank them for what they give to our students,” Raymer said. “They give us a lot.”
High school teachers spoke with students to give them suggestions on what to paint on the windows of businesses.
“Sometimes, students have their own ideas,” he said.
Regardless of a student’s artistic ability, every student participated.
“We empower them, and they take pride in it,” Raymer said. “They all had a part of it.”
The activity began as a community service day to show who they are and has become more impactful and efficient.
Students were downtown from 9 to 11:15 a.m. before returning back to campus. In the afternoon, they worked on floats for Saturday’s parade.
“We take a little bit of pride in it,” Raymer said.
Raymer called the activity a fun break for students.
“After five to six weeks of school, it was time for them to have a little bit of fun,” he said. “They had time to talk, mingle, and be with friends. It was a day where they got to relax.”