Last Sunday, Mercersburg’s senior class came together for its first official senior tradition: Paint the Numbers. The senior class kicked off Spirit Week by leaving their mark at the Davidson Gate and concluded the event entirely covered in white and blue paint.
For many seniors, the experience exceeded expectations. "It was way more fun than I expected. I was not prepared to be so covered in paint," said Ella Blanco ’26, who spent an hour afterward trying to remove paint from her hair. "I think I saw a different side of people, which was fun."
The tradition carried emotional significance for students who had watched previous senior classes participate. Jessica Dang ’26 reflected, "Walking to paint the numbers, Kamden [Jenkins ’26] and I reminisced on our freshman year, seeing the seniors with blue paint on them. We've always talked about Paint the Numbers and now we just experienced it. It feels surreal, and this is the first senior tradition, which makes me emotional." Barbara Gamboa ’26 echoed this sentiment. “To be able to finally [participate in] the senior tradition that I’d been watching for three years.”
The paint-splattered clothes become a badge of honor. "What made this the [most memorable are] the clothes; the paint is never going to wash out,” Gamboa remarked. William Choi ’26 added, “It gave us memories and photos that would last us a long time.”
Some remarked on the deeper meaning of the tradition. "I really liked how with all the colors we truly felt as if we were in the driver's seat, as [Class of 2026 Grade Dean Andy] Brown would put it," Choi reflected.
Despite the chaos inherent in the tradition, the evening ran smoothly, reported Student Council members who helped coordinate the tradition. "It was very successful and flawless. People were very respectful and there were no issues," said Class President Cole Piraino ’26. Class Historian Lareina Wang ’26 agreed, noting, "Overall it went pretty well; everyone seemed like they had fun."
Brown, in a moment of reflection, reminisced on his experience over the past three years. "Being a grade dean to the Class of 2026 is one of the highlights of my job," Brown said. "They are a great group of kids, and I have been amazed by their growth over their time here. I am so excited for them to have a strong senior year, and I look forward to all of their future accomplishments and impacts."
Brown offered advice to the senior class: "Life is full of chapters; continue to write your Mercersburg chapter and enjoy the time," he said.
As the Class of 2026 moves forward through its senior year, Paint the Numbers serves as both a beginning and a reminder. It marks the start of a series of traditions that will define their final months at Mercersburg.