Jenks High School Seniors Share Excitement For New School Year, Painted Parking Spots

JENKS, Okla. – 

Students at many Green Country school districts had their first day of school on Aug. 18, and for some, they said it is a relief.

Seniors, especially, are hoping for a year without cancellations and disruptions.

The principal at Jenks High School said the first day went smoothly.

Students also said they are excited to get back to whatever the new normal is and get past the challenges of the pandemic.

“I’m not sure because anything can happen at any time, but right now, I feel like it’s going to be cool,” said senior, Kaden Hawes. “It’s going to be a good year.”

For the 850 Jenks seniors, their high school experience has been a roller coaster ride: In and out of virtual learning, mask mandates and cancellations.

“It was a real tough year during COVID, and I had to recover junior year, but Jenks has helped me with that really well, and my counselors and teachers have helped me really well this year,” said senior Daunte Kozikuski.

Seniors are making their mark on their last year and also their parking spots with colorful paintings of original art, pop culture, and things that helped them get through the pandemic.

“So my parking spot is Friends-themed,” explained senior, Cora McVay. “It’s my favorite TV show. It’s taught me a lot actually, just life lessons and stuff like that and how I wanted to get older.”

Principal David Beiler said students really benefit from having a creative outlet, along with structure and routines.

“So what we see is if we can definitely establish that consistent bell schedule, consistent expectations coming to class, that’s one thing that helps them, but then also what really helps them is just having a creative staff that really cares about engaging students,” said Beiler.