Don’t Knock the Rock

Three principals, more than ten thousand students, and one rock have called T.C. home over the past seven years. T.C.’s senior rock, which currently sits near the main entrance to the school, has become a staple of Titan culture. Every summer, T.C. senior class leaders, artists, and graphic designers get together to redesign and paint the senior rock. “We started the rock with the simple goal of promoting school spirit,” said Steve Moore, a teacher at T.C. who helped with the establishment of the rock. This year’s design includes a colorful and vibrant display of flowers and stars that were work of the senior class of 2010. Bob Trout, a graphic design teacher and senior class sponsor, is in charge of the rock. “The rock started with just a simple ‘Class of” statement with a small design in its early years, but some of the recent designs have really gotten amazing,” said Trout. Trout recalls past designs that were elaborate, such as an American flag themed rock one year. “In the last three years, the nature of the rock has really changed. It has become much more artsy and involved,” said Trout. But a recent incident has senior class officials, T.C. artists, and Trout thoroughly concerned. In its seven year history at T.C., the senior rock has never been defaced or vandalized. But this year’s rock has been marred by the paint of vandals. “I think it shows disrespect towards the 2010 senior class.” said Paula Mitchell, the senior class president.
Despite the vandals, the leaders of the rock are looking forward. Mitchell also discussed future restoration possibilities, including a proposal to change the design on the rock each quarter of the 2009-2010 school year. “We are potentially looking at having a new artist every quarter,” said Mitchell. “If there’s a senior artist interested they should talk to Ms. Crawford (Math teacher in Room B326).”
In the past, however, the future of the rock did not look so bright. During the transition between the old and new building, T.C. school officials planned to discard the rock completely. Trout saw a piece of Titan history disappearing and insisted that the rock remain at T.C. for years to come. “I saw a piece of Titan culture being thrown in the dumpster,” said Trout “And I just had to save it.”