Stayton High School has found a unique way to engage students and foster school pride with a new Beautification Committee to improve the look and feel of the campus.
Under the direction of assistant principals Brad Emmert and Joseph Traeger, students on the committee use their teacher assistant period to tackle various projects around campus.
This has included repainting the hallways with the school colors of blue and gold, restoring icons like the “Pencil Wall,” and tearing out an old deck to repurpose a staff courtyard.
Committee members Addison Samuell and Kale Hubert, both juniors, told Our Town they were glad to be part of an experience that makes a difference people can literally see.
“It’s a good opportunity to be able to help around the school,” said Samuell. “I’ve really liked our projects a lot. I think it’s made everything look a lot better.”
“I think it sort of pays off mentally just to see that we can help out around the school and see what we’re doing and appreciate the work we’re doing,” said Hubert.
Senior Diego Salinas, also part of the committee, was attending to other school priorities at the time of the interview with Our Town.
Perhaps their most visible project has been restoration of the Pencil Wall, which had been a painting of a pencil that students touch for good luck before tests. The tradition caused the paint to wear away, and the age of the building contributed led to deterioration, so the committee had a plan to restore and improve the icon.
Rather than a painted-on pencil, Traeger constructed a 3D mantle of a pencil to install on the wall. Committee members helped install and paint the new display, which includes an eagle, the school’s mascot, above the pencil.
Traeger said it has been a gift to encourage such enthusiastic students and impart life lessons beyond the classroom.
“The projects are not just about improving the way SHS looks and feels, it’s about fostering a culture of service and stewardship that will service these students well beyond their high school years,” said Traeger.
“It’s just fun to see them get excited about just a really different opportunity to serve a school community,”’ he added.
The program is expected to continue next year, though Samuell and Hubert said they will need to know their class schedule before being able to commit again. They said whoever joins the committee next year will benefit from valuable experiences in teambuilding and feelings of accomplishment.
“Whether I’m in it or not, I just think it’s a good thing to have around the school,” said Hubert.
“If they can get more students to do it they can get stuff done quicker,” said Samuell.
