By now, most everyone has noticed that the empty lot next to the high school building, which has remained vacant for years since WT purchased the land and demolished the house thereupon in 2021. Curious about what students and teachers would like to see built there, we asked around. Here’s what they had to say:

SAMMY CROFT ‘28

“Build a rock climbing gym to practice mountaineering.”

AUSTIN LENHARDT-BARLEY ‘25

“A lab for altruistic engineering and woodworking and those classes. Like a multi-use building similar to the Davis Center but for the art and engineering departments. Or a triple-decker parking garage.”

DERYCK LEEPER ‘25

“I think they should make it a petting zoo with peacocks.”

Mr. STEPHEN MILLER (Math Teacher)

“Build a building taking both lots, make a covered walkway either connecting off the terrace or from room 20, put the math, science, and computer science departments there, and the science labs in the high school building should get converted into art studios.”

XANDER “SHEPPY” KOPE ‘26

“Make a stadium for soccer and convert the old field to parking. Also, a little bat cave would be nice.”

ABBY WEINSTEIN 26’

“Build an extra parking lot for students or build a new gym.”

ZACH WERSTIL ‘26

“Make standard-sized soccer fields and basketball courts.”

EVAN BURNS ‘26

“Build a greenhouse.”

ELIJAH BULLOCK ‘26

“Either build a basketball court or make a training facility.”

MAESTRA AGUILAR FRANCIS (Spanish Teacher)

“Create a space to use for outdoor learning opportunities.”

JULIE ANEJA 26’

“Use it to help climate change with either solar panels, a garden, or a greenhouse.”

ROHAN “OUR LITTLE COMEDIAN” SADASHIV ‘28

“Build a recreational ESports gym to practice Fortnite.”

From the chorus of voices rose a single refrain—a space left waiting, yearning for purpose. Yet, with the JCDC standing tall, its shadow stretches far, and the dream of renewal fades like the last light of dusk. Still, beneath the quiet neglect, the soil hums with possibility, a canvas of endless promise. Let these words not be whispers lost to the wind, but seeds planted deep, growing toward a future where this space is not forgotten, but reborn—a gift to the heart of Winchester Thurston.