Pride project takes on new venture

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH-- The Painting the Way -- Pride Campaign 2000 will

have yet another project under its belt.

Huntington Beach High School’s consumer studies building is getting a

make-over this week.

The building, which recently had its windows replaced, is getting a

fresh coat of paint after 28 years and will have new landscaping planted

next week.

“We hope to bring back pride to our campus,” said Gail Pelliccioni,

campaign coordinator.

The first feat of Painting the Way came last year with the

refurbishing of the math and science building’s exterior. That spring,

the building received a much-needed coat of paint, and “Huntington Beach

Oilers” and “Welcome! to HB high school” was painted in new orange and

black lettering on the building in August.

Painting on the home economics building is expected to be complete

this week. The final phase of the renovation will be finished during

Pride Day on May 19.

That day, volunteers will plant landscaping around the building, paint

the interior and exterior of the student center and work on other campus

beautification projects.

With $20,000 from the Boeing Co. and the fund-raising efforts of the

Huntington Beach High School Foundation, the campus will receive 28 round

fiberglass tables in the school colors to be placed around the campus.

Although Pride Day is an annual event, this year’s event has included

more and grander projects than years past. By the end of the day, the

student center and trash cans will be painted, new plants and flowers

will be planted and weeds pulled and a sound wall by the student center

will be built. Volunteers will break for a free lunchtime barbecue and

will then work until 4 p.m.

The Pride Committee will also host several contests with prizes. The

school is looking for a new logo designed for the floor of the student

center. The designer of the best logo will have the decal placed on the

lobby floor and be awarded a ride in a limousine and dinner for four at

The House of Blues. The team of four that paints the best trash cans will

receive tickets to Edward’s Cinema and dinners at the Macaroni Grill.

Elementary and middle school children who pull the most weeds will win

videos.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” said Christine Paquette, the school’s

business administrator. “It really boosts morale.”

Students are excited to see buildings get painted and landscape

planted, she said.A second Pride Day is scheduled for June 9 when the new

decal will be installed.

The community is invited to volunteer on Pride Day and should meet in

the principal’s conference room at 9 a.m.

Anyone interested in volunteering time or donating materials and

equipment can call the school at (714) 536-2514 or Gail Pelliccioni at

(714) 842-0882 or visit the Web site at o7

https://www.hbuhsd.k12.ca.us/hbhs/default.htmf7 Donations to help with

future projects can be made out to Painting the Way, and sent to Gail

Pelliccioni c/o Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., Huntington

Beach, CA 92648.