The senior hand wall has been a tradition for more than 20 years. This year, however, there is not yet a plan for what will happen in light of school closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“As of today, the plan is to finish the wall upon returning to school. If or when that becomes impossible, we will work with the class of 2020 to figure out the best way to complete the project and uphold this great West tradition,” assistant principal Mario Pupillo said.

Seniors Chloe Narishkin and Lauren Beard designed the wall.

“I think it’s a way that everyone can have their own lasting impact because they could have their handprint, and that’s them leaving their mark,” Beard said. “It’s cool to see each class as a whole and how they choose to represent themselves each year.”

The design is Bob Ross themed, so the wall will look like one of his paintings and the sky will be made of senior handprints.

“The quote is ‘We have no limits to our world, we’re only limited by our own imagination,’” Narishkin said. “The whole theme around Bob Ross is [because] he’s an iconic figure for that inclusive feeling that he gives you. Within this painting, it represents our future and how our limits are whatever we want them to be.”

Starting in October, students were allowed to submit their design ideas. At the end of January, the design was selected through a vote.

“Knowing that this is where we came from and putting ourselves [on the wall] helps us remember but also move forward. It’s contributing and leaving a little bit of my touch behind,” Narishkin said. “We’re moving on to something new and we’ve been here for four years, so it’s nice we’re not going to completely be forgotten.”

Building manager Kitty Strong purchased the supplies for this senior tradition.

“My goal was to find something that was relatable to the entire senior class and that was more relevant, but also that would stay relevant and not look strange years later,” Beard said.

Since there is not enough wall space in the cafeteria to keep all of the designs, older designs get their picture taken, then are painted over for the new wall.

“It’s a West High tradition. It’s one of those things that is part of what makes West, West. It’s not something you see everywhere, so it’s not like you walk in any high school and see a hand wall. It’s unique. It makes it part of that experience because if you eat lunch in the cafeteria, you see those handprints every day,” Pupillo said. “It’s just a way to say ‘hey, I made it, I did it, and I’m proud of my accomplishments,’ and you get to visually put that on the wall which is pretty cool.”