While we are a Class AA school with class sizes of about 350+ kids, Fayetteville-Manlius very much has the feel of a much smaller school, including all the quirks. Here are 14 signs you went to Fayetteville-Manlius
1. Literally everyone is healthy
For a school in Upstate NY, everyone seems to get outside a lot. At any time of the year, you will find people jogging outside on the roads and are constantly avoiding hitting people in your car. During breaks at school you will run into everyone and their mother at the gym which is kind of nice because you will have people to talk to while you wait for a cardio machine at the Manlius Y but really it's so much better than Fayetteville. And oh yeah, our cross country teams are decent.
2. Kimberley's v. Sno Top
And when it is no longer -20 outside, the classic debate restarts between the two ice cream shops in town Sno Top and Kimberly. Whatever your choice is, you're guaranteed some good ice cream, after your work out of course.
3. Getting way into March Madness
Being from Fayetteville- Manlius we are only 10 miles out from the city of Syracuse which in March only means one thing: Syracuse Basketball. In the halls, you will find tons of people wearing Syracuse jerseys and hats and watching the game on their phones in class. Even if you don't like basketball, you'll probably get dragged into the excitement and frustration that is Syracuse basketball.
4. Football and Basketball games are insane
The Hornet's Nest is always buzzing. The student section at Fayetteville-Manlius is notoriously loud and rambunctious weekly packing the stands at football and basketball games complete with weekly themes. Even if you weren't into sports, this is the Friday night thing to do and it was always a good time, win or lose.
5. You've had at least one meal at The Top of the World.
Many East Side schools will try to claim that this is also one of their spots but the property is technically in the FM school district so by default it's ours. On those late spring and early summer days you've probably had at least one meal on top of the old box with some friends as the sun went down and if you haven't I highly recommend it, best view in town.
6. You were either a House 1 or a House 2 kid
Every kid that went to FM knows what this means so I'm just gonna say House 1 is where it's at.
7. DANCE MARATHON
Need I say more?
8. The connection you feel to Camp Good Days and Special Times
After working with Camp Good Days through Dance Marathon, every person at FM has a connection with the organization. After hearing the stories and meeting the kids that go to the camp in the summer you can't help but be inspired by them and it is something you carry with you even after you graduate.
9. Everyone is amazing at something
At FM, it seems like everyone is good at something whether it be academic or extracurricular. And while it can be intimidating going to school with people that discover a new bacteria, rank nationally for their sport, or have won Golden Keys from Scholastics for their artwork it is also super inspiring.
10. FMTV Features
Many of which include basketball trick shots with Mr. Hayes, German lip dubs, song parodies, or if you were in my class Jake Wittig.
11. Beyonce Work Out Video
Which the gym teachers made us do about twice a quarter or whenever it was raining outside since it is well known that Line Dancing is Mr. Hayes favorite gym unit. But when you hear that song come on at a party in college you've already got the moves down.
12. Snow Days are not a thing
Unless JD is canceled but even then probably not.
13. Ballroom dancing with Senor Guzman
Best and worst week of your life.
14. Saying goodbye was bittersweet
Going to FM was a whirlwind of emotions over the course of four years. Like any experience of highs and lows that come with it but at the end of it all it taught me something about how to get along with people, the power of giving back, making people laugh is important and you're never too cool to dance.
We are FM.
