Recently, my hometown's newspaper released an article suggesting that my high school, as well as the entire school district, will be having something of a 'facelift' - let's call it. It has been three years since I had last walked in the halls of Minisink Valley and after reading the article, I knew everything was going to change. So, I am writing this article to remind the youngsters that will eventually walk the halls of what Minsink was like:
1. Senior Ball was always at the Best Western and Prom was always at Kuhls Highland House. You have the class of 2015 to thank for that - good for you guys.
2. We were never allowed out in the courtyard by the Global wing - even though it was well manicured and had benches waiting to be sat in and pathways to walk on. (Not to mention it would've helped with hallway congestion BIG TIME, but that is none of my business.) So you all better enjoy and revel in the outdoor seating you're getting - every class before you will be wishing to be you.
3. The cafeteria lines were always so damn long and chaotic you had no idea what you were on line for - it could've been to sell your soul and you wouldn't have known. The article from the record says that about 250 students would be able to fit in the cafeteria that I spent four years in and now 400 students will fit in the new one? Seriously happy I don't have to stand in line for a $1 water bottle anymore.
4. Speaking of the cafeteria, it was underground and the only 'natural light' came from above and only shined on one small sliver of the room. Yup, high school does not remind you of dungeons in any way.
5. Seniors always, always, always won the Pep Rally. (Except if you were the class of 2014 (cough cough, me) and won as juniors and chanted "Bow Down" to the Seniors and then we won again as Seniors.) Seniors always win.
6. You could tell which part of the building was recently (and I mean 'recently' like this happened in the 2000s) updated just by walking from the English/Math wing to the Science/Global wing. We're talking new floors and color schemes in the classrooms and un-wobbly desks - luxury.
7. No one would mention the 'Country Strong' article in person / Yelling "Country Strong" at Football games because you were proud of the article. Yeah, we're the 'farm school' of Orange County - but we don't all drive tractors to school or bring cows.
8. The History/Global teachers would always have the best tangents and movies to watch. All I can say about that whole wing is that every time I went to and from class I had the biggest smile on my face.
9. We cared about the teachers when the budget threatened to lay off 24 teachers and aides - we protested.
10. The Otisville Fair is supposed to be an 'end of summer' event, but it is more of a 'oh-my-gosh-I-haven't-seen-you-all-summer-how-was-your-summer' deal. Yeah, you saw your friends over summer break, but then you saw everyone at the three day fair and went on all four rides with them to talk about the happenings of summer.
11. This also goes for Bethel Woods and Country concerts.
12. Whenever tragedy struck, we would band together as a community and so what we could to help those effected. And I hope the same goes for the classes to come.
