New positive messages on the stairs and cafeteria windows, a State of Texas UIL sign with recent championship years, a “Recognition Of Excellence” board and a wall sticker of “Always Making It A Great Day To Be A Badger” were all added to the school over the summer in addition to the parking lot being repainted.
“It is important to have things look nice and to celebrate our school and the people in it,” Principal Paul Weinheimer said. “Sometimes a little extra goes a long way into putting action into the words that our students are important.”
The newest decorations continue the vision of former Principal Joey McQueen and then-assistant principal Weinheimer in 2022.
The new messages on the stairs and cafeteria windows say phrases like “Badgers Care”, “You Are Valuable”, “You Don’t Have To, You Get To,” and “You Can Do Difficult.”
“Positive messages are important because we become what we think, so let’s think positive,” Weinheimer said. “Hopefully this shows our students that they are important.”
The idea for the UIL Academics sign originally came from Weinheimer. He proposed the idea to UIL Academic coordinator Judith Ann McGhee and together they decided to take inspiration from the UIL Texas State graphic design that counselor Cathy Kuehne designed a few years ago. Kuehne’s original design then morphed into the design that is now on the wall.
“I love the new Academics sticker,” McGhee said. “The decor is wonderful, and walking past it daily gives different students a chance to see themselves represented as proud Badgers, especially kids who might not have had a chance to be celebrated in other activities. I’m so proud of our Academic kiddos, and I love seeing them recognized as Badger Nation contributors.”
Before the parking lot was repainted the parking spot lines had faded, making it hard for students and staff to park safely.
“Repainting the parking lot has improved my life greatly,” junior Sydney Unger said. “It has helped me park better and has made the parking lot safer for other students.”
Weinheimer’s goal in adding the improvements and decoration was to elevate the school and show students and staff that they are important. Unger thinks that they have done just that.
“I think the improvements make people feel more welcome and lighten up the environment,” Unger said, “The decorations improve the school and student’s morale by creating a positive and welcoming environment. All the decorations show what the school and teachers are all about. It also shows off some of our achievements!”
