Whether it is decorating the halls, going to a drive in movie, supporting your Bulldogs at an athletic event, or even competing in a game of Powder Puff and Ruff N’ Tuff, there are many ways Palisade students can get involved in Palisade events during Homecoming Week and show off their school spirit. Paint the P is not only an event where Bulldogs can encourage school spirit, but it is also a legacy.
On September 7th, 32 students from Palisade adventured to the top of the hill where the P for Palisade, along with the graduating year is located. The P and this year’s graduating senior class, ‘25, is positioned Southeast of the high school. Every year when students paint the P, they give the white color a fresh look and rearrange the numbers to the appropriate year.
Hank Deford is a Junior Stuco member that organized Paint the P. He stated “Paint the P has been a Palisade tradition for decades. I believe Paint the P started in the 80’s.” The reason behind paint the P is a little more interesting than you may think. As Hank stated, “The reason we paint the P is to show school spirit. It’s a great location as well, because most of the town can see the p.”
As Hank ran Paint the P, we wanted to hear from the freshman who participated. “I enjoy the views and the memories,” said Freshman Natalee Benjamin who went to paint the P. Freshman Zophia Quinol added, “I enjoy spending time with my friends and getting to see Mount Garfield from a bigger scale.” Previous years, students would go and paint the P in the morning. This year the group went in the evening, which left a spectacular sunset while painting and having a good time.
Avery Dorr, another freshman, stated : “It is fun to come up here with STUCO. It makes me proud to be at Palisade. It encourages me to go school and be around all of the fun people who go there.” We can’t wait to see what STUCO brings to Paint the P next year!
