A team of students at Meeker High School worked to transform a spot at the middle and high school into a safe, fun environment for all.
Bulldog Square, which will have a grand opening on March 13, started with an idea. In 2022, High School Principal Brad Buxton had a climate committee, which was working towards making the school a better place, said middle and high school librarian Shannon Pruitt.
After hosting one fundraiser and looking into the costs for what they wanted to do, the committee realized it was going to take a lot more than just one fundraiser. So, in 2023, when Pruitt took over the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy at the high school, Buxton asked her if this was a project those students would like to take on.
Student leadership ran with it.
The idea behind Bulldog Square was to create a safe and welcoming environment to encourage movement, collaboration and positive social interaction throughout the school day, Pruitt siad.
“Before this space was created, they were having to meet on that grass by the busy highway, and the balls are going into the street,” she said, adding the group wanted to emphasize that Bulldog Square is about more than just physical improvement to campus. “It symbolizes the investment in students’ well-being in the future of our whole community.”
It was designed with students in mind and is a place where they can recharge, connect, and take pride in their school, she said.
The student leadership applied for grants to fund the improvements and received a TSET grant for $17,000. This allowed them to purchase things like basketball goals, volleyball and pickleball nets, as well as yard games.
The Square also has tables and benches, as well as a small disc golf setup. It required a lot of cleaning, as well, Pruitt said.
However, the group quickly realized the asphalt out in the space wasn’t conducive to what they wanted to use the space for, so they applied for the Built for Environment TSET grant and received $100,000. It was then that they tore out the asphalt and paved the area over.
The work isn’t over, Pruit said. The leadership students are applying for another $50,000 TSET grant to install coverings for the area, so kids don’t have to sit out in the sun all the time.
It can also be used by the community during ball games or for birthday parties. They plan to spruce the area up even more and paint lines for the different courts and games, as well as possibly install a gazebo and really make it feel like a park.
“It’s just a place where kids play and have a good time,” Pruitt said.
The grand opening for Bulldog Square is set for March 13 at 9:30 a.m. with an official ribboncutting ceremony.