First things first, it is pronounced CAMP-BELL, not like the soup. Nothing is more annoying than when people say it wrong, especially if they know they are doing it. It's a small town near Corning, NY. We only have a stop sign, no stop lights. We had temporary ones for construction one summer and everyone hated them. Like my family, most people's parents and grandparents also attended Campbell-Savona. It's a tight nit community that comes to together when they need to. Although, I would never live here for the rest of my life, I'm glad I got the opportunity to grow up here and meet the people I did.
1. You know the smell of this place when you get on the highway.
Chances are you've lived here your entire life. But despite that fact, you never get used to the smell of the factory every time you get on the highway. Although, it's always cool to see the fire coming out of it.
2. Chances are you also know someone who works here.
It's very rare when you don't know at least one person who works here. If you're lucky like I am, you'll have family that works here. When you know someone, it also means you get free cheese sticks. Who doesn't love free polly-o cheese sticks?
3. Dandy is the go-to place when you want a milkshake in the middle of winter.
The f'real milkshake machine is a god sent, except it always seems that one of the two is ALWAYS broken. You also know to always get the less thick option so you can actually suck it through the straw.
4. You know the Section V mantra by heart.
"Be loud, be proud, and be positive" You have this mantra memorized because there is a large purple banner hanging in the gym and the announcer says it every single sporting event we host... ever.
5. No one bands together better than Panther fans when we play Canisteo-Greenwood.
We have the Rural Rowdyz for a reason. We don't get along with Canisteo fans and everyone knows it. It's a shit talking fest in the stands. Campbell people will be friends with them before and after the game, but during it we're mortal enemies with one another. It hasn't and won't change.
6. Driving around back roads at night and blasting music during the summer
It's summer and it's a town with only a handful of people. Teenagers have to find some sort of entertainment and this tends to be it. It's hard to get lost in such a small town, so you just take the back roads and randomly decide which way to turn along the way.
7. We're still incredibly proud of the boys who became basketball state champions.
This may have been 10-11 years ago, yet it is still a fond memory that will last forever in the minds of panther fans. Even ones that were still young (aka me) when we accomplished something so amazing. Once a panther, always a panther.
8. Walking to Jamison's for food before a game was the common theme.
Everyone always wanted food before a game and if it was a home game or had time to spare before the bus arrived, the trip to Jamison's was taken. The usual was a slice of pizza, because it seemed to taste so good in those moments. You also knew you probably shouldn't be eating such greasiness before a game, but it was always worth it.
9. If you don't go to Campbell-Savona, you're not allowed to talk shit.
I know realistically, everyone is going to talk shit about the surrounding schools, but if you think you can do so around us, you're wrong. Say anything around us and you bet your bottom dollar we're going to say something to you. We may not always get along, but the school bands together to defend it.
10. When tragedy strikes our small town, we come together as one.
Unfortunately, our little town has been hit with tragedy after tragedy. With the passings of Mikey, Ashlea, Collin, Mrs. Hain, and Mrs. Hawken, it could've destroyed the town. While it destroyed everyone's emotions multiple times over, everyone came together and united as one. There is no other place I would have wanted to grow up. It's nice to know you aren't alone when something terrible happens.
