SPEARFISH - The Spearfish High School Class of 2009 has left its mark on the Northern Hills high school - literally.

While the Spearfish High School building was empty on a recent weekend, work started on a new Spartan logo engraved in the floor. Shane Burnison, a 1998 alumnus and owner of Amazing Engraving and Staining in Spearfish, said he brought up the idea of the engraving last year at his class reunion.

The classes of 2009 and 1998 and the SHS Booster Club raised the funds for the work.

After hours of floor preparation, Burnison began a process of applying several coats of stain and sealer. A special stencil was applied to the floor before he began the process of hand-engraving the design.

"The logo will be very durable and very low-maintenance," Shane said.

Patty Tetrault, who has a child in the 2009 senior class, got the project going.

"The Class of 2009 was looking for something to put their stamp on the school. They were looking for something permanent to do," Tetrault said.

When the decision was made to make the logo 15 feet by 15 feet instead of 10 feet by 10 feet, they needed more money. They approached the Spearfish High School Booster Club for help with funding, and the club was quick to join the project.

Booster Club President Harvey Hicks said he believes it is a good use of money.

"I'm looking forward to seeing it. It should be beautiful," Hicks said.

The booster club joined the effort before PETA suggested Spearfish get rid of its logo in favor of a more animal-friendly "Sea Kitten."

Before that, the Class of 2009 was struggling to raise funds for the engraving.

The idea of changing the Spearfish logo did not go over well with the community. That gave the seniors an idea to make T-shirts with "Spearfish, Sea Kitten on a Stick, Since 1876" on the front. The back says, "Hey PETA. We are the Spartans. Always have been. Always will be. Sponsored by the Class of 2009. The Year of No Change."

The shirts sold like crazy.

"We should probably take our hats off to PETA," said Tetrault, who also said she was getting tired of selling the shirts.

After the last few coats of sealer were applied, Burnison covered the logo with a tarp, and it remained hidden until an Athletic Club Banquet Sunday evening.