Rather than a senior prank, the Knox High School 2015 graduating class opted for a senior project instead. The deliberation over what to do began back in October as senior project coordinator John Poindexter inquired about what the students would like to do.

Poindexter said, “The students decided to go for the beautification of that lot down there at Main and Lake street. Normally we just do the paper work stuff and figure out that in class but they wanted to do it hands on. So we went through all the permissions of the school board and city council. Then we started fund-raising.”

They received enough donations to purchase seven park benches and two picnic tables. The class succeeded in selling more than 200 personally engraved bricks for $30 each. Flowers and plants were donated by local businesses and various members of the community. The economic development committee paid for a brick gazebo to be installed.

Since construction is still ongoing, some graduating students have volunteered to continue working on the project into June. Poindexter urges other seniors to assist in finishing up. Future senior classes may take on responsibility for replanting flowers and foliage and potential new additions. Currently the city of Knox is responsible for the upkeep of the area which is located behind the Nancy J. Dembowski community center.