The student parking lot is a pressing issue on the minds of the Boothbay Region High School student body. Mornings are hectic, as one student puts it “The parking is unsafe, and people park bad!” The disorder stems from the free-for-all nature of the current student parking system. I surveyed the student body, and 74% of students surveyed desire designated parking spaces for the senior class, and 61% would like to paint their space.

BRHS should implement designated and customized parking spots for senior students to solve parking efficiency issues, reward and celebrate their senior year, recognize the students' hard work, and encourage students’ self-expression and creativity.

As a rising junior, making a significant change in the student parking dilemma is important to me because soon I will be faced with the infamous morning parking issues. I hope to combat the issue to make the class of 2028, as well as every class after senior years, as stress-free as possible, as well as provide a fun, creative outlet and school pride to BRHS’s posterity.

“We have a huge issue with parking,” a student surveyed explains and is the general consensus of the student body. Arrival for students with cars is often disorganized and frustrating in the morning rush. One student explains, “Parking in the morning is usually a mess because it seems like nobody knows where to park because people change places every day.” This student's frustration demonstrates the need for designated spots to eliminate morning parking muddle. The lack of assigned spaces leaves students circling and competing for spots each morning.

The gambling nature of student parking leaves risk for tardiness, if a student were to miss the opportunity to snatch a spot, as seniors often do. According to one student surveyed, "Sophomores are always taking up spots when seniors are left with nothing." This leads to no option but to park at a farther lot, like the YMCA, even occasionally the teacher parking lot. If senior students were to have a say in decisions affecting them, like where to park and the appearance of the spaces they do so in, the system would be catered to the individuals using it, resulting in a more efficient and individualized senior year experience.

Schools across the country–even the state, such as Messalonskee High School and Edward Little -- have adopted customized parking spaces for their seniors. Each year before school begins, the parking lot is transformed into an aggregation of personal statements through color and personality. The program becomes a literal mark left on the school before they move on, and a celebration of its eldest students. The exterior of BRHS lacks the character and representation of the students within.

Opponents of the idea may claim that individualized senior parking spaces are not worthwhile, due to the extra planning, approval, space required, and cost to students. In order to keep the program inclusive and accessible, I propose the selection of the spots be a lottery system, and the cost for students be a flat-rate fee, and assistance available to lessen the overall cost with supplies for students. Recent efforts to implement this idea were unsuccessful due to timing issues, according to BRHS Principal Dr. Tricia Campbell, and the current lot “does not offer enough spaces to give every member of the current senior class the opportunity to participate if they choose.” This concern does not warrant a rejection of the proposition; however, in fact, Dr. Campbell explains, “the school is actively looking at how to make it a reality for the future.”

Typical dedicated student parking along the back of the large parking lot was not available for students this year due to temporary parking lot restructuring. Dr Campbell, however, notes that once the new plans are approved, there will be plentiful spaces optimal for senior parking and “hosting this tradition directly on campus is the perfect solution.” Though a few steps must be taken to prepare and plan how it will be implemented, individualized senior parking spots are achievable and beneficial in the long run.

Students and teachers’ overwhelming support for the proposition shows that Boothbay Region High School is craving a much-needed solution to the student parking dilemma. Assigned parking spots will reduce daily hassle and give students a creative outlet, as one student said “show school spirit,” and make senior year even more memorable.