1. Online classes
In a small school of less than 100, only so many classes can be taught, so nearly every student was enrolled in at least one online college class. In return, this gave everyone a jump start on their college careers.
2. Library naps
They tried to stop us, but the joke was on them.
3. Being friends with your teachers outside of school
It wasn't uncommon for high school students in rural Colorado to be Facebook friends with their teachers or to see them at family functions. In a town of 300, just about everybody is related, anyway. They end up being like your parents away from home, so it was only fitting.
4. School lunches
The one thing everybody loved to hate--especially on tuna day. Chicken fried steak day, though? That was the best day of the month.
5. Everybody knows everything
Literally nothing was private in a small-town Colorado high school. Jack and Jill start dating at lunch? The whole school, including the teachers, know by the end of sixth period. Oh, and nobody is afraid to comment on it, either.
But that also meant everyone knew when you needed help with something before you even asked for it.
6. The importance of sports
Obviously, there wasn't a college in town, so high school sports reigned supreme. If you needed to see somebody in town, all you had to do was wait until the Thursday night volleyball game, and just about the entire 300-person population would be packed into the little gym.
7. Your accomplishment is everybody's accomplishment
It takes a village. So, you receive an award for your art project? You give half of the credit to your art teacher. You sign to play college athletics? You share the joyous moment with all of your former coaches, athletic director, and every single fan that ever braved the cold to watch Friday night football, or packed into the blazing-hot gym to watch you compete in your game of choice.
8. Future Farmers of America
This one speaks for itself. If you weren't involved in Ag classes or FFA, it was kind of a big deal. And when transfers showed up for registration and didn't know what FFA was, it was fair game to laugh. City folk.
9. Your graduating class
They got on your nerves and they drove you up the wall sometimes. But, when it comes down to it, those were 18 of your very best friends for 12-plus years, and you missed them when you parted ways. When you visit home, you always find yourself reminiscing on the good (and bad) times you shared growing up together. Good thing you all still stay in touch.
10. You had the best of everything
They say lower student-teacher ratios make all the difference in a student's ability to learn important material, and you had that. You even had a class with just three students once. You are now a step ahead in life, because more important than test scores were the life lessons your teachers took the time to impart. You never told them "thank you" enough, but, boy, do you now.
The staff and students of the school you attended watched you grow up, saw you at your worst, felt the same heartbreak, and always encouraged you to pursue every dream you ever had. When other people say they "went to the best high school ever," you just laugh, because they have no idea.
