Four seniors will carry on Linfield’s tradition of gathering during the night to paint the senior bench before Spring Commencement.

Seniors Adriana Daoust, Jennifer Worcester, Arminda Gandara and Kaycee Hallstrom volunteered to represent the Class of ’11 by decorating the bench, Hallstrom, the group’s committee chair, said.

“We know that we want it to be something different from other years and that we will include the school colors,” Hallstrom said.

Hallstrom said that all seniors received an email inviting them to help paint the bench.

Director of College Activities Dan Fergueson said painting the bench has been a school tradition long before he started working at Linfield 12 years ago. He said it represents different themes and memories that are important to each class.

“It gives the folks in the senior class an easy way to leave their mark,” he said.

Fergueson said the Class of ’02 dedicated the bench to the tragic events of 9/11, while other classes painted light-hearted themes, such as Dr. Seuss quotes or signatures from graduates. He also said that it’s typical for seniors to paint the bench late at night before Commencement.

“They stay true to form by putting it off until the last minute,” he said. “It’s one last chance for them to procrastinate on a project before they graduate.”
Fergueson said he recalled a particular year in which this procrastination led to some humorous difficulties.

“About four or five years ago, they painted the bench the night before Commencement, and it didn’t dry in time for the ceremony,” he said. “I was helping with rounds in the wee hours of the morning, and I remember seeing their cars circled around the bench with the headlights shining it on so that they could see to paint.”

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Joanna PeTerson/Managing editor
Joanna Peterson can be reached at [email protected].