It took several cans of spray paint, a gas powered paint sprayer, seven hours, and a dedicated group of students to transform Riley Field from plain to beautiful for this year's homecoming game.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, California High School's turf management class spent their entire day working on their field project. This consisted of painting the numbers on the sidelines, the Pintos in the end zone, and the lines on the field.
Bieri worked on the field two to three hours a day, got free meals, and got to watch Mizzou football games from the sidelines. Bieri enjoyed sports very much, and it gave him the opportunity to get involved with college sports.
"I got to know the athletes, help them out, and took care of the field," he said.
Bieri worked on the turf crew for the last three years of his college education. Now, he teaches what he knows to the turf management students of CHS.
The class learns everything from managing a lawn, to athletic fields, to golf courses. They learn about the different grasses, what kinds of grasses grow best in different seasons, and soil types.
This course is offered as a half credit, but if students take the landscaping class second semester, it counts as dual credit at State Fair community college.
The class consists of a lot of hands-on work, and students are often given opportunities to try out their skills.
"They're not just learning these theories, but actually testing them out," Bieri said.
That seems to be a popular reason why students enjoy the class so much, among other things.
"I like being outside," said Junior, Kacie Dohler.
Not only does the class get the students outside and doing hands-on work, but it also gives them something to be proud of.
Senior Quinten Wilson said, "My favorite part about turf management class is getting out of school and painting the field for the community."