Swampscott Seniors Turn Parking Spots into Personal Canvases Ahead of School Year

Students paint their parking spots at the Swampscott High School || Monica Sager

Henry Ramos is painting his parking spot at Swampscott High School to look like a soccer ball, with each panel representing a different part of his life: the jersey numbers he’s worn, his idol Lionel Messi, the Puerto Rican flag, and a symbol of his interest in philosophy and psychology. He left some panels blank to represent “what’s to come,” he said.

“I’ve played soccer since I was four years old,” Ramos said. “It’s a big part of my life.”

Henry Ramos’ parking spot will be a soccer ball representing his life || Monica Sager

Ramos, along with dozens of other high school seniors, is painting his parking spot before the school year starts on Wednesday. The tradition, which some students said began just last year, seems to be growing, as more are painting previously blank spots, and others are reworking designs left by last year’s seniors.

“I think it’s going to become a big tradition,” Gaby Manadee said.

Manadee is painting her spot with a “Gilmore Girls” theme, inspired by her love of fall, she shared.

Gaby Manadee and Reese Schaiberger stand at their parking spots || Monica Sager

Her spot is next to her friend Reese Schaiberger. The two waited in line together to make sure they’d be assigned adjacent spots. Schaiberger said her spot will be filled with flowers and bees.

Twins Dylan and Sasha Fafel are parked a row behind Schaiberger and Manadee and are sharing a spot.

“We have similar interests,” Sasha shared, adding that the two wanted to paint their parking location as something they love.

The Fafel twins start painting their parking spot || Monica Sager

The Fafels are painting their spot to resemble a Lana Del Rey album, featuring the lyrics “Signing Off. Bang Bang. Kiss Kiss.”

Next to the twins, Mikayala Warwick is starting her spot from scratch, which she’s heard is “harder.”

“You have to use a lot of primer,” Warwick said. “Hopefully I have enough.”

Warwick’s spot will also be music-themed, inspired by Clairo’s album Charm.

Kaela Barletta also chose a music theme, designing a playlist-style look with an album cover and play buttons.

Kaela Balletta and her friends paint her parking spot || Monica Sager

Alex Campbell, on the other hand, is using her last name as inspiration by painting a Campbell’s Soup can.

“My mom identified me as Campbell’s Soup in the hospital, so it’s kind of coming full circle,” Campbell said, adding that she’s looking for “everyone coming together more than once” throughout the school year.