Ridge View High School, located in Columbia, South Carolina. High school was rough, but there is no doubt that it was the best time of our lives. Compared to other schools in Richland District Two, we felt as if we ruled the town. Here are 10 signs every Ridge View High School Blazer knows way too well...

1. The Blazer Band was and still is amazing

Since the opening of the school in 1995, the Blazer Band has been wowing their audience and judges. Under the direction of Vince Clayton, the Blazer family was confident that the band would dominate every, single year. The best shows were put on by the band during halftime at football games and they took home many titles, giving the Band the best reputation in the district.

2. Upchurch intimidated us all

Every school has them right? You know, that one administrator catching everyone doing anything wrong. At Ridge View, everyone was sneaking their way past Allen Upchurch. Though most of the time we were getting caught, every Blazer knew that this was not the man to mess with…

3. The school spirit

Sports dominated our school. It didn’t matter if we were good or not, most students were in the stands cheering on the athletic teams. In 2011, Ridge View High School Men’s Basketball team made it to the State Championship. Everyone in the school cheered on our Blazers in the stands of the Colonial Life Arena, and although we didn’t take home the title, there was no doubt that no one had better school spirit than the Blazer family themselves.

4. Off-campus lunch was a blessing.

Off-campus lunch was only offered to Seniors, and then Juniors the second semester of school. Well, its safe to say that most of us were breaking this rule. Freshmen, sophomores, and those that didn’t have their IDs to leave did the most trying to sneak off for lunch. Its obvious that school lunch is not that great, we were all trying to get to the Sonic or McDonald's down the street from school without getting caught. Some days were easy, while other times most of us were hiding in people’s trunks to get past Upchurch..

5. Big Texas cinnamon roll changed our lives.

Getting through the days were hard. Lunch felt as if it was so far away. Though there were vending machines in the school, most of us didn’t want the healthy stuff in them. The hook up came from the Head ball coach himself, Coach Jennings. With it only being one dollar, we were all stuffing our faces with this sweet snack.

6. Ms. Brenda Mack-Foxworth shutting it down.

Every school has a dress code. Leggings weren’t considered pants, skirts and dresses had to reach our fingers when our arms were placed on our sides. No one was getting past Assistant Principal Ms. Mack, well, ever. She got everyone, EVERY SINGLE TIME.

7. The athletic games

Football games were a must for the students. It was our chance to hang out with everyone in the school as well as other people in our district. Soccer games were just as fun to go to. The Men’s Soccer Team played a great game every time they played.

8. Late Start

Every Wednesday we started school later than normal. While this was the best thing to happen to most of us, some students found it harder to get to school on time. You were either sleeping in, getting breakfast with your friends before school, or doing something you shouldn’t have been doing.

9. The Canteen, RIP.

The Canteen had the best food the school served. And that’s saying a lot, since most of us didn’t dare to eat there. CiCi’s Pizza, burgers, and chicken sandwiches… it doesn’t get any better than that. When the Canteen was no longer apart of the school, most of us really did have to resort to people’s car trunks to get off campus for good food. The canteen became unavailable when the district wanted to provide healthier foods... RIP to the canteen, thanks for saving us multiple times.

10. Once a Blazer, always a Blazer.

I was always ready to graduate high school, weren’t we all. We were ready to become adults and take on the real world. I often complained about the people and rules but now that I’m an alumni, I can’t help but miss those days. Even though its high school and we were all dramatic, there is nothing I am more grateful for. I am forever thankful for the people I met, the teachers that cared so much for their students, and the family environment Ridge View High School gave me.