• Article Photo. The 10 Homecoming King and Queen candidates pose near their initials during whitewash night.
    The 10 Homecoming King and Queen candidates pose near their initials during whitewash night.
  • Article Photo. Painting was the event of the night Wednesday for VSHS students, including the royalty candidates.
    Painting was the event of the night Wednesday for VSHS students, including the royalty candidates.
  • Article Photo. One of these five girls will wear the robe and tiara of the Homecoming Queen tonight.
    One of these five girls will wear the robe and tiara of the Homecoming Queen tonight.
  • Article Photo. Jake Dyson painted his tribute to Michael Jordan on the VSHS driveway.
    Jake Dyson painted his tribute to Michael Jordan on the VSHS driveway.
  • Article Photo. No, Abbie Porter, right, & Chelsey Merchant are not trying a difficult dance in the parking lot...
    No, Abbie Porter, right, & Chelsey Merchant are not trying a difficult dance in the parking lot...
  • Article Photo. ...they were trying to take a photo of their paint-covered hands.
    ...they were trying to take a photo of their paint-covered hands.
  • Article Photo. Many VSHS students tested showed their artistic skills with whitewash on parking lot asphalt.
    Many VSHS students tested showed their artistic skills with whitewash on parking lot asphalt.
  • Article Photo. Autumn Heckmann paints around Lexy Lundvall's feet.
    Autumn Heckmann paints around Lexy Lundvall's feet.
  • Article Photo. Codi Snider adds a message to the VSHS parking lot.
    Codi Snider adds a message to the VSHS parking lot.
  • Article Photo. Abbie Porter, left, and Chelsey Merchant pose after painting together Wednesday evening at VSHS.
    Abbie Porter, left, and Chelsey Merchant pose after painting together Wednesday evening at VSHS.
  • Article Photo. Much of the VSHS parking lot looks like this after whitewashing by students Wednesday night.
    Much of the VSHS parking lot looks like this after whitewashing by students Wednesday night.
  • Article Photo. Jake Dyson, left, and John Lippman pose after finishing the Michael Jordan depiction.
    Jake Dyson, left, and John Lippman pose after finishing the Michael Jordan depiction.

For decades, Vinton and then Vinton-Shellsburg students celebrated homecoming by painting streets near the high school.

But with a new high school and a new parking lot covered with asphalt, there's a new way to express school spirit during Homecoming week: Whitewashing.

Instead of paint, the students use a limestone-based material.

The effect is the same: Lots of art. Lots of Expressions of school spirit. Lots of Fun.

Scores of VSHS students, accompanied by several adults, covered areas of the VSHS parking lot with the white material.

Before going to the campus, many of the students stopped at the Lyons residents, where they painted their clothing a variety of colors, including red, blue and purple. A variety of hands, feet and heads also received a generous application of these colors.

Students painted around their shoes, around their classmates, and added dozens of names and initials to the asphalt.