OLSH Students Deck The Halls for Upcoming School Year

Summer may be coming to an end, but students from didn't seem to mind Monday night. 

Students gathered in excitement in the school's art room yesterday to paint and hang signs in the building's hallways to welcome their peers on the first day of school.

The entire OLSH student body will return to the classroom on Aug. 31. Nearly 40 students attended the sign-painting session. 

Student government leaders said the signs are an initiative to ramp up student-body school spirit. 

"We're going to hang posters specifically for freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors and have the entire class sign their names on them on the first day of school," senior Sierra Welsh said.

Welsh, who is the director of student government, noted that this marks only the second year that the school has a football team, which has mustered more school spirit and pride. 

"It's a lot more work to plan homecoming, spirit week and pep rallies now that we have a football team," she said. "But it's also a lot more fun."

Senior Cassidy Toole, assistant director of student government, agreed.

"We just want everything to be big and exciting and for everyone to be involved," she said.

Seniors weren't the only ones who showed up: Sophomores, juniors and two incoming freshmen attended as well. 

"I'm glad to see two freshmen here," sophomore Tori Young said. "I'm guessing the rest didn't know about it or maybe they were nervous to come. If you ask me, it's a great way to make friends and a good way to get service hours."

Welsh and Toole sent out emails and created a Facebook page about the event, advertising free pizza and community service hours.

"When we get a good turnout, it's exciting," said Welsh. "It's a good sign of what's to come this year."