Art students at De Soto High School are in the process of creating a one of a kind  Wildcat bench. One student in particular, senior Emily Euler, is working hard to complete the project so students all around school can enjoy it.

“We started it before winter break and we got it all sketched out, and I started painting it this semester,” Euler said.

Principal Dustin Mortenson got the inspiration for the bench after seeing various benches in Lawrence with different artwork on them. After the completion of the bench, Mortenson plans on having it put in the commons under a portrait of De Soto High School.

The bench is the first of many artistic additions to come to De Soto High School. In the future, Mortenson hopes to take out the vending machines and replace them with benches.

“We think that would be, for students, neat to be able to sit in a common area and still have privacy and artwork just helps an environment relax,” Mortenson said.

Euler expects to complete the bench within the next few weeks and Mortenson hopes the new addition gives a sense of privacy to students.