Teenagers often have a habit of gazing at their feet, so the refurbishing of East High School’s entrance will toss some education into the mix with paving stones that bear famous quotations.
In a few months, East’s 2,400 students will be able to walk, chew gum and learn at the same time — as long as they don’t put those wads of Wrigley’s under their desks.
The project isn’t cheap, but backers have raised $200,000 toward a goal of $250,000 to launch the privately funded renovation of the historic entry plaza. Construction is set to start June 1.
“This started out as just a way to sell bricks and raise money,” said Mary Beth Jenkins, co-chair of Project Angel Pride, the sponsoring organization. “But we realized we needed to be more ambitious, so we came up with the idea of the paving stones with quotations on them.”
The pavers that bear quotations are intended to help inspire students as they begin their day, creating what is dubbed a “Gateway to Learning.” Quotes were selected by East High faculty with an emphasis on timelessness.
Donors can go online at , find a paver with a quote that strikes them, and buy it; 100 are available at $1,000 apiece, and 60 have been sold.
More than 600 bricks have been sold at $100 a pop, and the bricks can be personalized with a person’s name.
“There are some really good stories behind this,” Jenkins said. “One person from the class of 1967 bought a brick to honor a friend who died in Vietnam. The stories are so diverse and deep.”
For high rollers, four keystone blocks are for sale for $25,000.
East’s entranceway is a teeming mass of kids at least three times a day, particularly at lunch hour, when students spill out to chat with friends and head off to grab lunch at nearby shops on East Colfax Avenue.
“The plaza is a gathering place for students,” said John Youngquist, East High’s principal and the person who came up with the idea for the revamped entranceway. “It is where they connect. With its renovations and expansion, the plaza will create an atmosphere of welcome for students and visitors alike.”
The project’s volunteers, which include parents, alumni, teachers, students and other community members, belong to Project Angel Pride, a group that has funded other renovations at the 85-year-old school.
William Porter: 303-954-1877 or wporter@denverpost.com
