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
University Archives chronicles more than 140 years of Sun Devil history
What was the name of the butcher who bequeathed the first piece of land that ultimately became the nation’s largest public research university?Who was the mastermind behind Palm Walk’s signature…
3 outstanding ASU alumni named The College Leaders of 2024
Three outstanding Arizona State University alumni from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be named as this year’s slate of The College Leaders. The honor recognizes alumni for their…
From mushy ice to Mullett Arena
Greg Powers rubbed the top of his head and smiled.Powers, Arizona State University’s hockey coach, had been asked to reflect on the 10th anniversary of ASU hockey becoming an NCAA Division I program…