6000 Oakwood Ave. is home to so many young girls. Whether you go to McAuley High School for one year or all four, it's a place that holds a special place in your heart, and you find various quirks about the school that are unforgettable. Even though I've been gone for a year, there are so many things about McAuley that I will remember for the rest of my life. McAuley shaped me into the person I am today, and I would not have done anything differently. I know many other alums would say the same.

1. Our cookies aren't the best, but they're still the best.

Whether we are talking about the cookies, the popcorn chicken or the curly fries, lunches were the best part of the day. Late lunches were awful, but the cookies were always there for you, even when you ate seven and immediately regretted it.

2. Uniforms were a savior, and waking up five minutes before you needed to leave was a regular occurrence.

The green plaid skirt could have been cuter, but never having to pick out your outfit in the morning saved an hour or two of getting ready. Since we didn't go to school with boys every day, you pretty much learned to love yourself without any make up on. Nobody cared what you looked like because McAuley teaches you that everyone is their own beautiful self.

3. That is not brown, it is burnt sienna.

Even though our sports rock the black and gold jerseys, our colors will always be burnt sienna and gold. Our Alma Mater says otherwise, "Our colors bold the brown and gold," but if you're a real Mohawk, you know.

4. Raffle is the best time of the year.

Raffle is a time for class bonding and school bonding. Even though it isn't a life or death situation, raffle is very important. If you have friends in other grades, the first and last few days of raffle are spent with evil glares. Winning raffle title is one of the best things that can happen at McAuley, but regardless of who wins, it brings your class together. All the hours spent prepping the hallways, raising money and running out to your car to grab all the spare change is eventful. You always know you're going to gain a pound or two during raffle, whether it is from all the incentives to follow, Mr. Schneider's soft chocolate chip cookies or the lollipops are sold in the science wing classrooms, you are bound to eat more food than usual during raffle.

5. You take pride in being a young woman.

Because boys are a rare occurrence at McAuley, you take pride in being a girl. We have no boundaries as to what we will talk about in classes, and we learn that you don't need to get all "prettied-up" to come to school. But when boys do show up at McAuley for chorus concerts and other events, everyone knows. And even though sending emails to the entire school can get you into trouble, people never failed to send one or two on accident, or one to just put a smile on everyone's faces. Our retreats were amazing and taught everyone how unique of an individual they are. Even if you've only been on one or two retreats and haven't liked it so far, just wait until junior and senior year. The overnights are the best by far.

6. Mr. Ward's meditation days were the bomb.

Somehow, Mr. Ward always knows when we don't need homework or need a day to just relax. He stresses from day one that he knows how crazy our lives are, and he wants to try to make our lives a little easier. Even if it was just a five minute meditation, or a walk around the neighborhood, Mr. Ward's class never failed to make your life a little better.

7. Regardless of anything, your psychology teacher is always right.

Mr. Niehaus is a legend, and his class is taught in a way that works. He wants you to do well, not just in class, but in life. So, even though the outlines take forever, he knows you're putting enough effort in to do well in his class. He also shows you the tests and exams beforehand, which is super helpful. Mr. Niehaus knows pretty much everything and has studied all there is to study, and even if you find something he doesn't know much about, he will learn quickly. If you ever have a question, just ask him. Except for advice because he can't give that to you. He also loves his wife unconditionally, and if you can distract him at all, just ask him questions about her, his sons or all of his travel opportunities.

8. We have a special, bomb-proof basement.

Whether you see this place twice a year or once during your whole time at McAuley, try to convince your teacher to take a field trip. Since McAuley was built prior to 1960 and the threat of nuclear bombs became a thing, they decided to put a bomb shelter underneath an all-girl school (I guess we are special). This place is creepy but goes around the school to the back parking lot all the way to the flag pole in the front, or so I've heard. Beg for a field trip at least once. A lot of alums don't even know it exists.

9. Having to go from the art room to the science wing was killer on your calves.

Or, from chorus to Huxel's room, either way three minutes between classes was never enough, especially when you had to book it to Niehaus, so he didn't slam the door in your face. It's OK to be late, just plan ahead or give your teacher a heads up before you're late every day. I think they made the long walks, so you could eat more cookies in all honesty.

10. "Be safe, be smart, and take care of each other."

This was always the best line to hear at the end of the day, and also knowing the person who says it, means it. Mrs. Kampschmidt always has your back, and if you really need anything, she is there for you, just like any other teacher or faculty member. In times of need, McAuley shows that it's not just a school, it's a family. And even when you're long gone from sitting in those desks and wearing the plaid skirts, McAuley will always hold a place in your heart. The four years you spend there are crucial in your development, not just academically or spiritually, but as you're becoming who you're supposed to be. "You'll come back when they call you, no need to say goodbye."

And as always, once a Mohawk, always a Mohawk.