Looking for a letterer

Paula Pisani

Wanted: a fantastic, creative person who can restore the lettering on

Huntington Beach High School’s math and science building.

And, of course, money to pay that person.

This is how Painting the Way Campaign coordinator Gail Pelliccioni

described the next phase of the school’s beautification process.

Members of the Painting the Way campaign began raising funds in March to

paint school buildings. They collected $13,000 and commissioned Michael

Cunningham, from MC Construction and Painting of Fountain Valley, to

spruce up the math and science building, which hadn’t seen a fresh coat

since 1972.

Pelliccioni said campaign members are eyeing a painter from Pasadena who

has done work in the area to stencil “Huntington Beach Home of the

Oilers” on the building.

“The district is always thankful for the fact we have parents interested

in our schools and maintaining them,” said Ed Baker, director of

facilities at the district.

But because of higher priorities at the schools, such as air quality in

the classrooms, painting the buildings is at the bottom of the list, he

said.

Campaign members are setting their sights on their next target: the

homemaking building.

Not only does it need a new coat of paint, Pelliccioni said, it also

needs new earthquake-proof windows. The project also includes the

construction of a planter to offer students a place to sit outside.

“The homemaking building is so cute -- it looks like a gingerbread

house,” she said. “It was built a really long time ago.”

Pelliccioni estimates the project’s second phase will cost about $10,000.

“I applaud Gail’s efforts and admire her initiative,” Baker said.

Anyone interested in donating to the project can make out checks to

Painting the Way, c/o Gail Pelliccioni, 18201 Ivorycrest Lane, Huntington

Beach 92648 842-0882.