By the end of the 2012-13 school year, they’d refurbished the letters ART from “Theater.” This school year, they’ve been working on BELMONT and hope to have neon added so that the letters, mounted in the cafeteria, can be seen at night from Wayne Avenue.
“We started sanding the letters at the end of last year, and set up a spray room this year,” said Rogers. “We’ve put on a base coat with metal primer, then started the painting process with a high quality graffiti spray paint.
“They’ve evolved, with gradations of blue and red — our school colors — and a white line evolved into angled stripes; they’ll probably evolve more before we do the finished coat.”
Students worked during lunch periods, Rogers’ plan periods, and after school. On Dec. 13, the letters were on display, draped with Christmas lights for the school’s holiday program.
“Now, we’re trying to kick off fundraisers to have neon put back on the letters,” Rogers says. “There are only two places in the state that can do it, and one gave us an estimate of $5,000 to pick them up, do each one by hand, then return them; it will cost another $2,000 to install them.”
The school will be working with alumni, the Belmont Business Association, and Research Park group in fundraising efforts.
Abner Orick, former city commissioner, lifelong Belmont resident and advocate, is a 1958 Belmont graduate. His first date with Judy, his wife, was to the drive-in.
“It was a typical place to meet on Friday and Saturday nights, then on to the Parkmoor on Shroyer or Hasty-Tasty on Linden,” he recalls. “I applaud preservation efforts, and think their goal is doable.”
Individuals or groups interested in fundraising or donating can contact Rogers at (937) 542-6576, or drop off donations to the Belmont Letter Project at the school office.
“Our goal is to have the letters done, installed and dedicated by the end of this school year,” said Rogers.
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