If you grew up in the Three Village community, you’ve most likely spent your high school years at Ward Melville. As much as you have all complained an endless amount about waking up at six in the morning to start your nine period day, deep down you know it was worth it. Ward Melville is the school that has shaped who you are as a person. It’s where you spent most of your time, regardless of if you were in players, on a varsity sport, yearbook, or just a plain old student. The friendships you’ve created, the laughs you’ve shared and the memories you’ve made will stay in your hearts forever. These are just a few of the infinite aspects of the school that are unforgettable, unique, and even quite humorous.
1. Needing a pass wherever you go
You’d think you get a little bit more freedom when you finally make it to high school, right? Not quite at Ward Melville. Whether you are going to the cafeteria, the nurse’s office or even just the bathroom, you need a pass. The faculty has definitely caught on to the fact that students aren’t actually going to “their locker” when they ask. And for that reason, the security is heightened but that doesn’t mean that students don’t find ways around it. It’s especially easier when you’re on the good side of the teacher doing hall duty.
2. The Senior Wall
Ahh the senior wall, you either love it or you hate it. If you think hard, it makes absolutely no sense. A bunch of seniors literally blocking the hallway for all of the other 1800 students in the school. All they do is create traffic jams while they stand there between classes and get yelled at by teachers to disperse when the bell rings. It may be an inconvenience, but for seniors it’s a useless tradition that gives them a chance to catch up with friends and hangout when they’re not in class. And to top it off, it gains its most traffic on the last day of school, during the senior sit-in.
3. "Throw out your garbage"
Yes Ward Melville gives us the option to not take a lunch, but the majority of students take advantage of a free period. You most likely have spent it in the cafeteria eating salads, snacks, or tots on Tuesday. Let’s be real, teenagers are a mess. They can be careless and disorganized. But don’t fear, that’s what the lunch monitors are for. The words, “Throw out your garbage” have probably been burned into your brain by now.
4. How easy it is to get kicked out of the library
The library is the other place you spend your free periods at. Sometimes it’s used for studying but a lot of the time it’s just another place to hangout with your friends. One issue here...only four people allowed to a table. It’s unfair, but those are the rules. This creates a problem if you want to “study” in a large group. Especially because you have to be as quiet as possible or Helen will have no problem kicking you out.
5. The Old School Cookies
Freshman and sophomores don’t know the true meaning behind the old school cookies. They are to die for. Kids would go up to the lunch ladies and walk away with handfuls of the cookies because they are that good. Unfortunately, the school recently went down the nutritional route and changed everything to whole grain and smaller portions. The school actually uses the cookies as a bribe to come to school events such as the senior barbeque and homecoming pep rally. These are the rare moments students get the nostalgic experience of eating an old school cookie.
6. The Senior parking lot
Every senior asks themselves the same question as they walk five miles (ok I’m exaggerating) to the gym doors from their car. “Why do we have to park this far away when there’s always a million open spots in the staff lot on both sides?” That question will never be answered. It’s a struggle especially when it’s raining or snowing or even blazing hot outside. Sometimes students try to get away by parking on the striped lines, even though that’s off limits. Driving into the lot is another inconvenience. Did they really have to put in that many speed bumps? Don’t even get me started with driving out of the lot. Have somewhere important to go? Good luck. It will take you at least 20 minutes to make it past the tennis courts.
7. Prom
Ward Melville does prom like no other. Professional decorations? Check. Amazing food? Check. Red carpet? Check. You’ve probably paid your younger sibling in Seport to save seats at nine in the morning just to get the perfect red carpet photo. It’s such a big deal that girls start shopping for their dresses as early as December, and the committee works countless hours to put the event together. The community wants to make sure that their students feel extra special at prom and they definitely succeed at doing so.
8. The Staff
To top it all off, the best thing about Ward Melville is the loving staff. It isn’t just a school, it’s a real family. The teachers here care about their students more than anything. They form special bonds with each and every one of them. Even though Mr. Wilson will make fun of you every chance he gets, you know psychology is your favorite class because of the passion he puts into his lectures. For art students, Mrs. Weisman is basically your second mother, always giving you life lessons and sound advice. In english, Mrs. Favre will entertain you with her bursts of acting out Shakespeare and Mr. Muscarella will make you laugh in gym class on all of your hikes (since when is walking around the field considered a hike?).
