Seniors leave their mark

From the time they are freshmen, students at Hot Springs County High School want to leave their mark, literally, on their alma mater.

English teacher Noni Weber started a tradition a few years ago, allowing students to paint a brick on her classroom wall when they graduate.

"I have freshmen who come in and right away want to paint their brick," Weber said. "Part of the deal is they have to graduate before they earn their brick. It may be a small thing, but for some students that's an incentive to graduate."

Weber allows students to choose their brick and paint whatever they want on it. Some choose a quote or saying to pass down through history while others may choose to paint a scene, something they're interested in, where they're going to college or even what they were known for in high school.

This year, more than ever, that bit of normalcy has been a relief for the seniors.

Weber has been allowing the seniors to come in, one at a time, to paint their brick as graduation approaches so they still get a chance to leave their mark.