COEUR d’ALENE — Art teacher Cynthia Chapman never knew just how many clubs and sports teams existed at Lake City High School until her students began an art and advertising project this February. 

The project honed student skills to research, design and create signs to drive participation in clubs, extracurricular activities and sports.  

The $1,500 needed to fund the project came from the EXCEL Foundation, which supports classroom projects in the Coeur d’Alene School District. EXCEL has funded more than $2 million toward student projects since 1987.  

As part of Chapman’s project, 80 Lake City students teamed up to make more than 40 different signs. 

“Art supplies are super expensive, so I’m grateful for EXCEL,” Chapman said. 

Senior Alexxis Johnson said she had never cut anything using a jigsaw before she and her creative partner, Kyleigh Chapman, made a track and field sign. Both students run track, so they were excited to participate.  

“Projects take a lot of time and patience,” Johnson said. “My favorite part is mixing the colors and seeing what each color adds.”  

The completed signs will be used to attract students to participate in the future. 

“Kids stay in school if they’re engaged,” Cynthia Chapman said. “I thought it would be great if we got them more involved.” 

    Jasmine Coronel holds up the completed Spanish Club sign as Chloe Jo Johnson shows off the Theater Club emblem.
  

    Hailie Allen and Lawyer Smith hold up the Geocaching Club sign after completing it as part of advanced painting with Cynthia Chapman at Lake City High School.
  

    Emma Zetterquist created a sign to draw attention to Boys Tennis at Lake City High School.