1. "Welcome to the Jungle."
You hear "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N Roses and you automatically flashback to Friday night football games at Monarch Stadium. It was basically a ritual to play this song before every football game.
2. The carnival.
Nothing screamed spring more than seeing the carnies out setting up for the JM carnival. Every student dreaded the carnival because it took up almost all of the student parking lot. Oh and not to mention, the back entrance was closed which was a pain for anyone who came down Glen Dale Heights.
3. The commons.
Although the commons do not exist anymore, every past and some of the present monarchs know just what “the commons” mean. The north and south commons were their names and they were two very different worlds. Luckily, the commons do not exist anymore and all students can unite as one.
4. The rivalry.
Even though Wheeling Park usually beat John Marshall, it was a school rivalry. Every student came to watch JM and Park out on the field and everyone bought the "Beat Park" t-shirts. We always knew what Park’s theme for the game against us would be … camo, of course. How original.
5. Brad Paisley.
If you went to John Marshall, or go to John Marshall, you know the Brad Paisley song, “If I Could Write a Letter To Me,” which makes references to his alumni. Brad Paisley refers to teachers who worked at JM and events that took place at JM in this song.
6. The traffic at 3:10 p.m.
Without even looking at a clock, you knew John Marshall was letting out when Glen Dale was hit with traffic in the late afternoon. Nothing was a bigger pain in the butt than trying to get out of the school parking lot. There was no such thing as a quick escape.
7. The teachers.
You always had that one teacher you adored. Between our beloved Pockl, our wonderful English teachers (I’m talking to you Mrs. Kuskey and Miss Kiss), and our crafty Mr. Allender, it was hard decide who was your favorite. Needless to say, JM has some pretty awesome teachers who have touched the lives of many.
8. Bdubs.
Three words, Buffalo Wild Wings or otherwise known as Bdubs. This was the place to be after any sporting event. “Where are you going after the football game?” Bdubs. “What's the plans for after the basketball game?” Bdubs. No matter what sporting event it was, everyone went to bdubs after it.
9. Single A vs. Triple A.
An argument that may never be settled was whether Single A school, Bishop Donahue, would beat the Triple A school, John Marshall. Although this argument will never be settled, it is common for the students to bicker over who would win in a football or basketball game. The world may never know.
10. The first floor.
Everyone seemed to be terrified of the first floor, but once you went down there, you realized how friendly and kind those people were. The teachers down there were talented and instilled that in their students. Don’t believe me? Go check out the auto body shop or maybe the welding classroom.
11. Pride.
If you were like me, you wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. All in all, you know that JM was a good school, maybe it just took you a few years to realize that. Every Monarch knows that we actually did learn a few things from that little school in Glen Dale, WV.
