North Attleboro is a small town with a lot of pride. We are located in southern Massachusetts and certainly know a fellow Rocketeer when we see one. Hated by many, loved by our own, this place is home to me and I hope I spend the rest of my life there.
If it was Friday night, you were at Community Field.
Whether you were playing, socializing, or cheering, everybody and their mom was in the center of North Attleboro on a Friday night in the fall. North Attleboro loves football and our band and cheerleaders are always amongst the best in the nation. A purely family environment, everybody felt like a part of the team under those lights, everybody looked out for each other and you were bound to get a hug from someone you haven’t seen in a while and that’s what is so great about Friday nights.
If you went on a date to Applebee’s and Showcase, it was serious.
So around 7th grade, many of these boys become men overnight and go to school the next day and ask their “girlfriend” of 38 hours if she wants to go on a date with him. In the 18,000th text message of the week between the two lovebirds, the young man asks his muse if she would go to Applebee’s and Showcase Cinema on Route 1 on Saturday. Your first date went like this: boy put on an American eagle shirt and work boots and his mom drove him to his girlfriend’s house who comes out in Ugg boots with the flaps rolled down and a new Hollister outfit, you got dropped off at Applebee’s and ordered a 2 for $20 and said all of 14 words to each other and were texting their friends about how awesome it’s going. Then you didn’t need a ride (which is a huge deal) to get to the movies so you walked to a movie, bought a popcorn and two drinks for $26.55 and watched a movie that included zero plot and 44 explosions because boys pick the best movies. The girl’s mom is on pick up duty so she picks up the kids around 10 drops the young lad off and then their first date is in the books. Young love is a beautiful thing.
The only time you go on the train is for the St. Paddy’s Day Parade
A school full of fun-lovers will only voluntarily wake up at 7 AM if they can go to Dunkin before they arrive at the train station. For good reason, people don’t drive into the city for the parade which makes it a no brainer for a high school student to get a free ride into the city for the day only to hang out with the same people they normally would while standing in the Shell Parking Lot on Beacon Street or in the D’Angelo’s next to it. Rain or shine, it is going to be cold and windy so bundle up, put on some green clothing, and get that hot cup for $0.89 from Dunkin and maybe a shamrock or two.
Your whole school goes to the same beach on the same day once a summer
It’s either Newport 2nd Beach to go cliff jumping or Scusset because it’s cheaper to park. Every now and then you’ll see someone in the Cape in Nauset or Brewster but that’s only for special occasions. Many of us New Englanders hate the cold but everyone loves a hot day on the beach with some good people. You’ll likely spend the day exploring the beach with people that you normally wouldn’t hangout with and for about six hours you’ll have an awesome day. There is not a huge time window to go to the beach in Massachusetts over the course of the year which makes it special when we end up getting there.
You knew how every Promposal went down
The stuff that girls love and boys hate mainly because it requires the boys to put effort into something. Most guys do the traditional poster-board that you had left over from your 6th grade science project to write some inside joke in the context of asking their date to prom. Instagram posts made it known to the world that it is now serious. Some guys are more creative than others (I had great proposals for great dates) but at the end of the day guys, just put in the effort, they will appreciate it forever!
You have a gross hatred for Attleboro, Mansfield and Feehan.
We don’t like anybody and nobody likes us. These three take the cake though. We have to hate Attleboro only because we are geographically related. Next town over, similar names, similar mascot names, and good sports teams. Mansfield is good at lots of sports but I am biased because I played football and track and we are both great programs for each sport. These football games often times decide the league championship and are some of the best contests you’ll see. Feehan is special. Feehan is hated more by North and Attleboro than we hate each other. Generally, some people go to Feehan after attending middle school in their hometown. Whenever the three of us get together, Blue and Red always unites to beat up on Green. You’ll learn after a while that these people that you hated in high school will become pretty awesome people. My roommate, my best friend is a Bishop Feehan Shamrock, my family is all from Attleboro, and I’m still trying to warm up to Mansfield but I’m not holding my breath.
You know a Kummer, a Johnson, a Sullivan or an Achin.
We all have to be related somehow. These last names seem to multiply by the day. I imagine these people can’t walk into a Stop and Shop or North End Deli and not bump into somebody that bumped into your “fathah” the other day. Nonetheless, all legendary names of Red Rocketeers. I know 28 people with these last names.
“Foundations in Art” Teachers
In the prestigious halls of North Attleboro High School, next to the boys locker room, lays the art rooms. Some of the most talented and devoted people use these spaces. The art room was home for many people but none more like the students of Mr. Flan. I had Mr. Flan during my tenure at NAHS and he was the man. Just a guy who loves his job and is good at it too. There was another teacher that one could argue was not as easy-going of her class, all in all, if you had Mr. Flan, you were in good hands.
The official breakfast of NAHS
I believe that a majority of NAHS gets Dunkin Donuts or Bagels and Cream for breakfast at least once a week. I’m glad I’m not a huge fan of Bagels because I would blow way too much money on it that I could spend at North End Deli. Speaking of which, whenever there was a half day, North End Deli would be the spot for lunch. The best day of the year is the last day for seniors when there’s a half day and people go to their friend’s houses and get lunch together and even sometimes the school’s principal will show up to the party!
You grew up in an awesome community
We have our fair share of flaws in Big Red Country, but I will say that it really is one of the best places to live. Home to me is in a great community full of great people and a lot of support. In times of tragedy, greatness, triumph and many others, our community always seems to rally together for one another.
