After last year’s parking debacle where over half of the junior class were unable to receive a parking spot, this year’s student body was surprised to find that parking this year was easily attainable.

In fact, every junior that applied for a parking spot received one. Also, there are 10 parking spots still available with the new parking lot next to the J Building. Some people are saying how unfair the new parking is for the new juniors compared to the seniors.

Having a parking spot in the newest parking lot is arguably better than the bigger parking lot. Some students say the new parking spots have their benefits. For one, you don’t get caught in your row because of the shape of the parking lot. Although when entering the lot, the students have to wait in the drop off lane instead of saving time and going into the student lane. In fact, leaving the school is also more difficult given the fact you have to go along the outside of the parking lot.

However, this increase in parking spots have coincided with one of the more well known parking destinations last year closing up. The “Mormon Lot,” which held the majority of students who were unable to get parking spots last year, was fenced up just before the school year started, effectively ending any chance of parking there this year.

Many seniors will be happy to see this lot go, as it had many clear flaws. Last year’s decade-high rainfall led to the Mormon Lot transforming into its evil alter ego: the Mud Lot.

If you did not have a car with four wheel drive or chains on the tires, getting in and out of the lot became a struggle few could win. Towing trucks were a common sight on rainy days at the lot, pulling out the cars of students who were unlucky enough to not receive a parking pass.

Preston Harms, a senior who parked in the Mormon Lot for seven months last year, said, “Every day my car would get really dirty.”

However, a section of seniors will regret seeing the Mormon Lot go, as it gained a cult appeal due to its almost entirely junior core. The lot had an air of lawlessness around it that mirrored the Badlands that the school’s stadium is named after.

The lack of regulations surrounding the lot made it a symbol for student power, as they found a (semi) reliable parking spot despite the school’s inability to accommodate them.

Aleck Goulde, another senior who used the Mormon Lot last year, said, “I liked how we could park anywhere and be fine. [I] just had to find a spot since it was first come first serve, and it seemed more chill to park than the lower lot.”