When you walk towards your seat on the football turf you see the friends you grew up with and been friends since kindergarten (shout out to Allie and Cesca) then you see the best friends you made throughout the years, then your eyes glance at the friends you lost and actually wish them the best, then you see the more than you should of crushes you had from elementary to the week before graduation, then lastly, you see you see at least 200 to 300 people you never met before!
You have arrived to Pat-Med high school. Wow, what a journey it was, made some great memories (the good and the ugly) the teachers you envied, the bullies that you just cannot stand but secretly hope they become decent people after they left.
But you look around and stare at the podium see the “administers, and principals from every elementary, middle school in the district and then you realize. Finally, I am getting out of here! But I am going to miss it, if you would have told my freshie eager self with the desire to leave the first step she took into the lobby, I would have laughed in your face and lost 200 dollars. Patchogue-Medford High, what a school, what a second home.
1. You are way too familiar to crowds of people in every hall.
They weren’t lying that there is over 3000 people in the school alone. From ninth to 12th grade it's a lot of people. But you become pros with the crowds by the end of the first week. You and your friends probably have a favorite meetup spot that will never change. The exchange of “meet me on the second floor near room 212 or “Guam” where my locker was unfortunately placed for four years. You know that new wing near the dean’s office?
2. You aren’t labeled a “Jock”, “Nerd” or “Music” kid.
Everyone pretty much at this high school identifies as multiple “stereotypical high school kids”. You can find many talented athletes’ also playing a musical instrument both vocal and instrumental. From my experience, you see yourself running from a tennis match on a Friday night for four years to quickly get changed in your marching band uniform at 7 p.m. and literally run to your seat in the stands that your stair partner saved you. (Thank you to that person! You know who you are) And the best part is that no one labels you here, yes you get called a music kid, AP kid, and Varsity but it doesn’t define you here, everyone here is diverse in their activities.
3. The teachers are amazing!
From my experience, I have had the good and the bad teachers. But honestly, that did not stop me from listening to them and experiencing everything this school had to offer. Every teacher that I had from ninth to 12th grade each offered great advice for school and just life in general! I had many teachers that were there for me when things got really rough for me, they had my back.
I still keep in contact with a few, they became part of me, they shaped who I was today. If you went here, you definitely had a teacher that left their mark on you. And when you are in a college class and students say they haven’t learned MLA, or know how to cite documents, you will thank your high school English teachers for embedding it into your brain.
4. Homecoming means war! No one is safe.
Some schools, just have a football game; we have more than that! Have you seen those typical high school homecoming events? We have it but 10 times better! We have floats, football games and Raider Bowl. Plus, we have the spirit of competition embedded into our blood since Kindergarten. We are never down to loose, and each grade takes it seriously.
If you have younger siblings in the high school that year, you do not keep in contact with them. You are at War. Each grade gets very (very) competitive but they do it in all good fun! I loved my class (Class of 2015!) they had so much drive and passion into every event they do! We go over the top some rival schools say but honestly it is what makes Patchogue-Medford! No one, I mean no one does homecoming like Pat-Med!
5. Prom: There is Junior and Senior (each year gets better!)
Prom, the great awaited event of your high school year. Prom is legit and Pat-Med always goes big! From gowns, tuxes’ and big halls you are the center of attention. In the movies and other school’s junior prom is not as big as senior prom and dresses aren’t as sequined.
Junior Prom is top notch, it is right after AP exams and SAT which can be a major distress for everything! Then the next year the highly anticipated Senior prom arrives. It is the best time and most memorable (one of them) of your entire life! Then you have to wake up for graduation the next day, but it is so worth it.
From friends, teachers, faculty and staff Pat-Med High School and the school district is the best you can get. Pat-Med may have its moments sometimes and have massive crowds everywhere you go, but Patchogue-Medford will be your home. #foreveraraider
