Out with the old and in with the new seems to be the St. Dominic motto for the 2016-2017 school year. The renovations are already underway. A fresh coat of paint, a new fall musical and a modernized library are just the beginning.

While most St. Dominic students spent their last weeks of summer working on their tans, juniors Sveta Wunnenberg and Teresa Enloe were getting their hands dirty. The girls designed and painted the brand new mural outside the guidance counselors’ office. They spent nine hours a day, five days a week creating a visual representation of the St. Dominic community.

“I got the idea because I was trying to think of something Dominic could reflect on. I figured I would paint what the outside world sees us as: sports, theater, music and academics,” said Wunnenberg.

The previous mural was painted by the Art IV class of 2000-2001. Most people would agree that St. Dominic has changed a lot over the past fifteen years, including President Cathy Fetter. Ms. Fetter asked for designs to be submitted for the new mural and she was amazed by Wunnenberg’s ideas.

“I love how her mural includes just about every facet of St. Dominic High School. It is really cool how someone can take a large, blank wall and make it come alive,” said Ms. Fetter.

Enloe and Wunnenberg were not the only ones renovating the school. Mrs. Nikki Playle has put forth a lot of effort to change the library into the Learning Commons. Mrs. Playle came to St. Dominic from Francis Howell Central, a school where the Learning Commons is already utilized. She used her own experience and input from various other schools to change the entire layout of the Learning Commons; the book collection has been dusted, furniture has been flipped and project supplies have been provided. Mrs. Playle has truly modernized the meaning of study hall and so far, students have given a big thumbs up.

“I like the new layout of the Learning Commons. The different sections for individual work and socialization have made it a lot more convenient. I also love the updated book selection,” said senior Emma Baker.

St. Dominic has not only received physical renovations, but the ideas are also changing. Mrs. Melfraya Findley has taken over the theater program and has been making changes already. Mrs. Findley has decided to put on a Fall Musical this year instead of a Fall Play. The fall musical will be Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, a much anticipated production. The spring musical has always been a huge success, but Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat will be a smaller musical with a more selective cast. The cast list is posted and rehearsals are already underway.  There is no doubt that the first fall musical will be a huge success under the direction of Mrs. Findley.

The 2016-2017 school year has started off with a bang. St. Dominic High School is gradually being updated in order to create a more modern learning environment. So, admire the mural, crack open a book or two in the Learning Commons and do not forget to purchase your musical tickets. Look forward to more changes this school year because the renovations have just begun.