Incarnate Word Academy – from the outside, you can’t understand it. From the inside, you can’t explain it. If you were one of the lucky women who got the privilege of attending the best high school in St. Louis (not biased or anything), then there are a few things you know to be true that people from other high schools just don’t understand.
1. Jumpers are the comfiest clothing item ever invented.
They may look like ugly navy potato sacks, but ask any Woman of the Word – nothing is more comfortable than lounging around in one of these bad boys. Soft, durable, and able to absorb most liquids, many alum will find themselves contemplating wearing one around their college campuses. Just throw on a polo, step in, zip it up, and bam, you’re ready to go!
2. Ball is life.
Look around the gym. Red Knights have won countless state championships for soccer, volleyball, and, of course, our beloved game of basketball. When IWA goes to state, you’ll see a sea of red and gold and hear cheering so loud, you’ll think it’s from 1,000 fans, not just 300 or so girls. AROOHAHA!
3. The tables by the mirrors in Silent Study are for SENIORS ONLY.
We are made the fatal mistake at least once. You really needed to brush up on your vocab words before your test, but all the tables in Silent are full. You’ll just plop down at one over by the mirrors. No one will notice, right? WRONG. Underclassmen, never forget. SENIOR. TABLES. ARE. FOR. SENIORS. ONLY.
4. You probably gained 10 pounds in high school just from eating the cafeteria cookies…
They’re just so good. Especially the ones that are still mostly gooey cookie dough on the inside.
5. …that, or from eating Geri Pitti’s candy.
Everyone swings by Ms. Pitti’s office on their way in and out of Chapel Building classes to grab a handful of candy to tide them over before lunch. Just make sure you duck out of there before she asks you about your missing service card.
6. You had a near-death experience flying over a speed bump.
You overslept and made your carpool late. You just got off 170 and you have five minutes to get to homeroom before announcements start. You made it up Natural Bridge without getting pulled over, now all that stands between you and avoiding a tardy slip in Bel-Nor. Going 50 miles an hour over a speed bump is probably not the best scenario, but hey, neither is getting a disapproving look in the general office when you walk in after everyone’s already said the school prayer.
7. The most unfortunate thing that could ever happen is getting a fourth floor Chapel homeroom.
Nothing is more painful than the climb up three flights of stairs to sign out every day. But hey, you’ll have calves of steel at the end of the year.
8. You’ve never cried more in your life than you did on Kairos.
Even the most stone-faced girl shed a tear at least once during the three day long retreat Red Knights attend their senior year. You have never been more emotionally drained – not to mention dehydrated – in your life. But through learning more about your teachers and classmates, you have developed an even deeper love for your school and the sisterhood your class shares.
9. You went to the best high school in the city. Maybe the state. Maybe the country. Possibly the whole world.
Every St. Louisan knows that where you went to high school is VERY IMPORTANT. It tells people everything they need to know about you – are you rich? Did you spend a lot of time driving through a sketchy part of town? Are you really into football? Basketball? Baseball? Did you party hard or were you at home studying on Friday night?
If a woman tells you she went to Incarnate Word Academy, you know she’s full of pride for her alma mater. She has strong leadership skills and stands up for what she believes in. She probably doesn’t shave her legs or wash her hair every day, but that’s beside the point. IWA taught me what it means to be a strong woman who is poised, faithful, and intelligent. I am so thankful that I attended a high school where I was taught that I can be whatever I want to be, so long as I work hard.
And finally…
10. No one rocks a Hawaiian shirt like Bryan Villmer.
