Attending Trumbull Agriscience High School was the first big decision I have ever made. It was the place that I risked everything a thirteen year old could. I was choosing to leave my home town and all the people I grew up with. I was about to journey into high school, where everyone already knew each other and probably did not want a new kid in their group. However, it wasn't the high school I was there for; it was the agriscience program. The horses, sheep, biology programs, mechanics, and the people that shared my interests were what sealed the deal. Trumbull Agriscience made one of the biggest impacts in my life. It was there that everything fell into place. So, you know you're from Trumbull Agriscience when...

1. Dog washes

It is not every day that you have to volunteer to wash dogs for a school fundraiser. However, it becomes apart of the lifestyle there; it's something that the students look forward to, and something you go back to even if you've already graduated. Half the fun was throwing soap bubbles at each other (until we got scolded to get back to work).

2. Plant sales

The Plant Sale was the plant department's time to shine. While not quite as impressive as the Farm Fair, their hard work and careful planning always attracted many visitors. Everyone volunteered at one of these; they were the events that you dragged your mom to make a wreath, or that you made your friends visit to bring you food.

3. Farm Fair

This was the fundraiser that everyone waited for. The games, food, animals, children... It was trying to not get run over by the tractor as you make a run across the grounds, and running the many different attractions offered. It was the petting zoo, watching the horses, bonding with the cow, and eating way too much cotton candy. As a freshman I missed farm fair (not by choice), and I still regret not going to this day. Make sure you go! They put so much effort into putting it on, not to mention do a fantastic job at advertising it to the students and outsiders. My current school can learn a thing or two about advertising the way Trumbull Ag does!

4. Getting asked if you're in the Ag program since you're not from that town

Going into Trumbull High as an Ag kid is no secret. Most of the kids there that don't know you will ask when you moved to Trumbull, and from there you must explain that you're still living in your hometown, but you got the chance of a lifetime to go to Trumbull for the Agriscience program.

5. Animals on the campus

How many schools have animals on its grounds? I am not talking about the rabbits and gineua pigs, even though we have those too, I'm talking about Luke and Ebony (our beloved horses), Nilla the cow, our many sheep, alpacas, llamas, and so much more. To some, it is a big deal. I still enjoy seeing people's reactions when I tell them that my school has these animals. Not many people do--be grateful for what you've received.

6. FFA

These were the meetings you had to attend at least once a semester. The pledge was said, and then you secretly counted down the minutes until it was over. However, it was one of the many things from my high school experience that I will miss. We used to attempt fitting dozens of people into a tiny room as our peers stood as the council. Looking back at it now, it was probably a good thing to have this; the opening ceremonies are treated very similarly at some college clubs.

7. The walk to and from the high school

The walk was one of those things that everyone loved on nice days, and dreaded on days when it wasn't so nice. It was on those not-so-nice days that we would usually end up running in an attempt to stay either dry or warm. The walk definitely whipped people into shape, as well as made people no longer care about their appearance--they just wanted to be indoors.

8. Being filthy and smelling like a farm in third period

Remember when those other classmates that were not as lucky as us would ask what that smell was? Whether you admitted it to being you or tried to hide it, there were the times you had secretly loved their confusion and discomfort. It was something that you had grown to accept. You could try to hide from it, but it was better to just embrace it. Yes, you smell like a sheep, or a cow, or a horse, but who cares?

9. When a shuttle was sent, it turned into a clown car

When the shuttle was sent, (it was a rare occurrence, normally where the weather was so bad, that no one wanted to walk in it. But that allowed for the humor of trying to fit as many people as possible onto the shuttle, all to avoid the rain, in all honesty, it is probably faster to just walk versus waiting for a full shuttle, but where is the fun in that?

10. Night check

Whether you were an animal science major, equine major, or anything else our school offers, you most likely have been to a night check. It is the chance to maybe see an animal being born one night, or just the rebellious fun of being on school grounds after hours (with permission, of course). Some of my favorite memories come from night check. It is where bonding between people occur most, as well as getting the chance to witness a sheep giving birth. It is where you eat ice cream in thirty-degree weather (if you're anything like me), huddle with people you don't really know for warmth, and wait for hours until something happens; and if it doesn't, you do it all again.

11. Petco field trips

Going to Trumbull, you do not go on many field trips, but for an Ag kid, you go to Petco. Squeezing into the tiny green bus, laughing, telling stories, and feeling much bigger than you are due to the seats. It is definitely one of the many things that set us apart from the regular horses.

12. Getting the opportunity of a lifetime

Sometimes I like to sit back and wonder what my life would be like if I didn't go to this school. I probably wouldn't be anything like how I am. I wouldn't be at the college I am, or studying my major, or even have such a good group of friends to fall back on. Going to Trumbull high was one of those opportunities that not many get, which is why if you do get the chance, you should try it. You can always decide to go back home, but why decide that before you know what this life is like?