“Uhm, excuse me, sir… BUT YOU ARE IN MY SPOT!” some seniors want to scream.

     The UME parking lot is a very crowded place and finding parking can be a hassle. That has caused the senior parking spots to be a big hit when students get to keep that spot for the rest of the year. Seniors thought they had everything parking wise figured out until they came to school on the first day and discovered that parents had invaded senior parking spots. This turned a privilege into a war.

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     Students paid $25 plus paint supplies for those parking spots.  Many took advantage of the big blank space. There were designs of American/Texan flags, the Dallas skyline, and abstract masterpieces. Students spent hours on their masterpieces. The dedication to painting made the not-so-reserved spots even more tragic. UME sent out an email and made announcements, but that did not stop the invasion.

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     The seniors felt defeated when pulling up to the school and seeing the filled parking spots. Senior Jordan Archer said, “It just ruined the whole mood of the first day when we couldn't even park in our spots.” Bringing down the senior class one day at a time, seniors confirm that they cannot park on their concrete portraits 3 out of the 5 days that they have school.

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     When parents heard about the parking mishap, heartbreak filled the conversation as senior Lindsay Wyrick’s mom mentions that she was “saddened” by the misunderstanding. Selfish parking has had students in a frenzy to put cones or bricks in their spots, hoping no one would park there. After at least 3 weeks of school, parents should know better.

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     The culprits aren't just parents but teachers too. An anonymous teacher parked in one student's spot, took a picture, and posted it on instagram saying  “#maspot”.  

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     A senior has spent time and money painting a concrete canvas and people have just decided to drive all over it, such shame. Seniors will have to find another alternative to the cramped parking, unfortunately.

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     But not everything around the senior spots has been negative. The ideas on one of the parking spots have become iconic. A nationwide restaurant chain Chick-fil-a praised seniors for a Chick-fil-a themed parking spot. They featured it on their facebook page and the students received gift cards.

    Seniors are making the best of the situation. With forgiving and understanding heart they ask people not to park the their spots. 10/5/16