At JCHS, wildcat pride is taken very seriously. In fact, one could say, "Wildcats for life" or "I bleed maroon & white."

One could say those things, and if you were lucky enough to be a "bleacher creature" (and own eight or more maroon t-shirts with "JOHNSON CITY" written across them) then you probably say those things yourself.

I hope you'll remember some of these JCHS corks and qualities, and I hope they'll bring a fading memory and/or a little smile to your face.

This one's for all my wildcats, old and new.

You Might Have Been A JCHS Wildcat If You Remember...

1. The fear of getting caught entering through the "south" instead of entering through the "main" and the spy-like caution you took while sneaking in.

This was a chance worth taking if you were a junior or senior that parked in the south and thought it was ridiculous that you were expected to walk the seemingly 70 miles around to the main entrance.

2. Breakfast pizza on Friday mornings at the "Wildcat Corner"

Sure, you were probably late to class, but you were the envy of every kid next to you. You could almost be certain that the beauty of your Nirchi's breakfast pizza even had your teacher salivating out of jealousy.

3. The barely-standing, wooden maroon and white painted bleachers at Greensfield Park

They were so rickety and old that you secretly thought your added body weight alone might be the cause of their final demise.

4. BIG COOKIES

Never was there a bond stronger than the one between a JCHS student and the "big cookie." It was one of the best things to come out of our cafeteria.

5. "Nancy Fries" (the other "best thing" to come out of our cafeteria).

The woman was your own personal angel. Just the sight of her face (and the fries she placed on your tray) could turn your whole day around.

6. The dirt-paved pathway that led from the high school up to the middle school.

You know you and your friends walked the entirety of it more than once, and each time you thought you were going to die of exhaustion.

7. The annual play previews in the auditorium.

It doesn't get much better than having the opportunity to watch a Broadway-worthy performance instead of being in class while getting to cheer for your friends on stage.

8. Making "High School Musical" references whenever applicable

9. Owing literally any ounce of fun you fad at the pep rallies to Schieve and Z

Let's face it, they are the reason "Wildcat Pride" exists.

10. Loving and supporting every JC athlete and showing your school spirit at all the games/matches.

11. Simply being a big part of an unforgettable 4 years spent at JCHS.

High school wasn't always easy, and maybe you even downright hated it at times. But it happened and it was beautiful, even in those moments of hatred.

If you were a maroon and white bleeding wildcat, you were special. You were special because you belonged to a community/family, and these 11 little things were just pieces of the puzzle that were Johnson City High School.

Thank you for an incredible four years, JC.