We all experienced the awkwardness, insecurities, and devastations that New Canaan High School brought. In the moment we might not have realized how insignificant high school was because it felt like our own little world, our own bubble. At the time this school was everything. The people we passed every day, the teachers we became so close with over the years, and the “lounge” that became too familiar.
I can’t even attempt to describe our high school to anyone that didn’t go there and experience it. Each grade felt like a hierarchy. Going into freshmen year you were afraid of getting “hazed” by the seniors. All of these were rumors, but you feared the stories from the past might have some chance of happening to you. Remember having assigned seating based on what grade you were in? Then the hierarchy within each grade: if you were “popular” enough you could sit on the sophomore or senior patio. The patio was a privilege that had to be earned. It’s funny actually typing that out… and how ridiculous it sounds now that we are in college. So many things from our high school just don’t make sense now that we are outside the bubble.
I remember everyone just saying “get through high school because college is so much better,” but I still miss so many things from New Canaan that almost everyone can agree on. Especially now that I’ve moved away, I’ve really gotten a chance to look back on the positive and negative parts of our high school and our town.
I will always miss the free periods. Everyone piles into the back of someone’s car and tries to hide to get off campus without being caught by the attendant. Once the coast was clear you felt so cool rolling down your car windows, blaring the music, and getting to choose from all your favorite places in town. The Rosie’s salads, Zumbach’s Coffee, and the difficult decision of if you wanted a sandwich from Tony’s Deli or CT Sandwich.
I miss the excitement of the different seasons. The best memories were in the summers going to the reservoirs, hanging with your friends at New Canaan Country Club or the Lake Club, or 4th of July at Waveny. Spirit week, the pep rally, and the Fall Fair were what kept me coming back after such an amazing summer. Everyone has those hometown traditions that they will always hold true to their hearts.
After being at Elon I can honestly say I miss the sports games most. Getting decked out with eye black and outfits for “red out,” “white out,” or “black out.” Everyone would caravan to the games whether they be home or away. We would cheer on the teams alongside Bussey’s Bomb Squad until our toes would turn numb from the cold.
But high school also brought about the hardships. The braces, acne, prom drama, regrettable outfit choices all happened in four years time. Looking back on the pictures a year later you are embarrassed, but give it a few more years when you are in college and you look back laughing with all your new friends. Pretty sure I was still in my awkward phase by the time senior year hit.
High school is that time we look back on and will always laugh, regret, and cry about all at once. The nostalgia will always be there, but there comes a point when you are ready to move on with your life. Let go of the past and move on with what awaits. If you always stay stuck in high school you’ll never appreciate the full potential that college offers.
As the end of May drew nearer and nearer you start to realize everything you were going to miss. The moment you released your grasp from the tassel you let go of high school. You let go of the awkwardness, insecurities, and devastations. But as time passes, just as the cap falls back into your hands, so do the memories of high school.
