Katelyn Phillips pointed to a worn-out looking spot on the wooden floor of the Niles High School Auditorium stage where she said someone had gotten a nasty splinter.

The Niles New Tech senior then kneeled down and, with almost no effort at all, pulled loose a six-inch long jagged sliver of wood and held it in the air.

She explained that the poor condition of the stage has become a running joke among people, like herself, who use it.

“Nobody really knows how bad the stage is, but it needs help,” said Phillips, who will play young Tarzan in the upcoming spring musical. “I know lots of people who have gotten splinters from it. I know people who have had to go to the hospital to get splinters out.”

About two months ago, Phillips and the Niles New Tech Senior Legacy Committee adopted the stage as its community service project.

Their goal is to raise $10,000 to help replace the stage floor and they’ve raised a little more than $1,200 thus far.

A go fund has been set up online where people can make donations at gofundme.com/gpnd58. Olfactory Hue is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. March 14. Cost is $7 per person and all proceeds to the restoration of the theater.

Niles teacher Matt Hunckler, who is directing the spring musical, said the floor is the original one put down in the late 1950s. While the floor isn’t in danger of collapsing, Hunckler said it is at the point where it needs to be replaced.

“I would say, ‘yes,’ it is necessary,” he said, adding that they’ve tried, with no success, to repair it in the past.

Hunckler said he is aware of people getting splinters from the stage. He also said it is difficult to roll things across the floor, like moveable set pieces, because of the condition of the stage.

Supt. Michael Lindley said he is not aware of any school funding that has been devoted for the restoration of the stage.

The stage isn’t just used by Niles High School’s theatre department. School assemblies are held in the auditorium along with non-school community functions, like the Miss Niles and Miss Apple Festival pageants.

Phillips hopes the community will see the value in having a workable stage and get behind the effort.

“This isn’t just a high school thing, it isn’t just a theatre thing, it’s a community thing and I think it’s time we took pride in it again,” she said.

Those wanting to donate can use the gofund or call Niles New Tech and ask for director Jerry Holtgren.