While students enjoyed a warm summer at the beach, the CDM campus received a few highly visible upgrades. On the first day back, many students immediately noticed the most prominent change, a large blue tarp over the quad’s main stage.

Students enjoy the shade under a new blue tarp over the quad stage.

Just a few months ago the stage was barren, glare a serious problem, and the area dominated by sea gulls. With the simple addition of a large awning, all of that has changed.  The renovations transformed the stage from a “dead zone” into what might become the epicenter of the quad.

The addition was well received by many students who see it as a beautification of the school. Senior Sebastien Welch remarked, “The tarp is useful, it filled up empty space, and looks pretty good.”

On the other hand, some students question whether the tarp was really what the school needed. Sophomore Cort Hastings shared his view, saying “the tarp is a nice idea, but it doesn’t affect me much because I rarely find myself underneath it.”

The shade and closure provided by the tarp make it a more useful venue for the ASB. Senior Class Vice President Hillary Bush said, “I think it’s really cool… a nice shady place to hang out on a really sunny day, and I like how they took down that big wall behind it, looks nice.”

The absence of a wall also allows for improved visibility, as the stage can now be seen from almost 360° around.

Some have raised questions over the need for such an addition. Senior Sam Parks looked at the financial side. He said, “It seems like a waste of the already small amount of money our school has.” Parks went on to question whether this was the correct allocation of funds when other school programs desperately need money.

Other changes around campus include more planters and upgraded handicap access. The changes over the past few years have modernized a once outdated campus, and will serve the school for many years to come.