JOHN DAY – A new digital sign at Grant Union High School was up and running the second day of school, dressing up the campus and keeping the community up-to-date with the school’s activities.

“We’re modernized,” said associated student body (ASB) president Lincoln Mosier.

So far, GUHS secretary Judy Schuette has entered the messages to be displayed on the sign on a computer in the school’s office, however, she’ll soon turn the work over to ASB students.

“We’re happy to move into the 21st century,” Schuette said. “Putting up those old letters was always a chore.”

As students who put letters up on the old sign in the past, Mosier and siblings Brennon and Ashley Witty know the chore well and expressed appreciation for Gardner Enterprises generosity in donating the sign.

Brennon Witty said they’re glad they won’t have to go out in the rain, snow and wind to get the school’s messages out – and chase after fallen letters.

The sign, valued at $22,500, was donated by Gardner’s through Coca-Cola, with Grant School District #3 chipping in $1,100.

While the school does sell Powerade products through Gardner’s, there is no contract to sell Powerade exclusively or to sell it because of the donated sign, said Principal Mark Witty.

Witty was pleased with the school’s new communication tool.

“We appreciate Gardner Enterprises for their donation of our reader board sign through Coca-Cola,” he said.