It's a tradition that started in the 1930s and is still going strong.
For the past eight-plus decades, Arizona State University's freshmen make the short hike up "A" Mountain in Tempe, grab a cup of white paint and cover the 60-foot (usually gold-colored) "A" that gives the mountain its nickname. It will later get painted back to its traditional gold color before the first football home game of the season, but for now, the whitewash symbolizes a fresh start to the new school year.
On Aug. 19, ASU's latest crop of students capped off their first week of classes by taking part in this time-honored tradition. Check out a gallery and video from the event below.
-
(From left) ASU students Madison Lee, Morgan Lathrum and Aarya Mecwan throw their cups of white paint on the "A."
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Freshman Josh Blumenthal poses for a photo in front of the city of Tempe after doing his part to paint the "A" on Saturday.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
We're not sure that counts as sunscreen: Junior Milka Gonzalez (right) slathers paint on Josue Jarquin, a junior medical studies major.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Seven-year-old Athena Sesma — perhaps a future Sun Devil? — flashes a smile after leaving her handprint on the "A." She came to the event with her older sister, Destiny Montero, and Valentino Nuñez (right). Montero and Nuñez are both sophomores at ASU.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Athena Sesma, 7, leaves her mark on the "A."
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Freshman Justine Anderson (right) and junior Daniel Hill rub paint on a corner of the "A."
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Students toss cups of white paint on the "A" on Saturday.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Freshmen pose for a photo at the top of "A" mountain, overlooking downtownTempe.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
-
Journalism majors Emily Keenan (left) and Ellena Whitfield snap a selfie by the "A" after doing their part to whitewash it on Saturday.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
Video by Jordan Currier/ASU
More Sun Devil community
Photos: 2025 Tempe Open Door
Arizona State University's 13th year of Open Door events concluded on the Tempe campus on Feb. 22.Snakes, science and little pig tails were just some of the sights and subjects that delighted…
Adventure coaching takes student support outdoors
On a recent sunny morning, a circle of Arizona State University students is flinging colorful balls and toys to each other on a lawn. Each student had to focus on all the items flying through the air…
Photos: 2025 Polytechnic Open Door
Families explored sound, automotive technology and other engineering fun at Saturday's ASU Open Door, where the Polytechnic campus' specialities came into the spotlight.The free annual event welcomes…