Staten Island is known for many things. This includes the "forgotten borough," "the armpit of NYC", and some even refuse to acknowledge Staten Island exists. I am here to tell you that we do exist and we are proud. As a Staten Islander I would love to showcase some of the great aspects our home offers and if you come from this small borough, you know that these aspects listed below are true!

1. You know that this is a traditional Sunday breakfast

If you paired a bagel with a 99 cent Arizona Iced Tea, you were the kid that made everyone jealous. Bagels are the crown jewel of Staten Island and you cannot start your day without one.

2. You know about the rivalry between the north and south shore

Who has the better food? Who is closer to Manhattan? Who has more culture? The list goes on and on.

3. You always look forward to parade season

Whether you are running in one of our numerous 5Ks, marching, or just a spectator, there is nothing better than the parades! They are always full of fun and culture but the best part is seeing your friends and eating food.

4. You know that nothing else can compare to our pizza and bagels

From Lee's to Denino's to Pronto's you can find pizza on almost any street in Staten Island. We may not have a lot of things, but pizza brings out the best in us.

5. You know how competitive the sports are

Talk about controversy! High School Sports on Staten Island has its own few pages in our newspaper. We are lucky to have some really talented athletes so why not talk about their accomplishments?

6. You have a plethora of High Schools to choose from

In Staten Island, we take education seriously. That is why there are over 22 different High Schools on the island! Not to mention you have a choice of all the other boroughs as well.

7. You get very defensive when people argue that Staten Island doesn't belong in NYC

We are a part of the five boroughs and we are here to stay. GET OVER IT. We may be the armpit of NYC, but we've got a lot of love and culture.

8. You got very angry when they talked about a fee to take the ferry

This is one of the only ways to get off the island and every year there's talk about charging a fee. If you're a native islander, you know how detrimental this would be.

9. You know how devastating it was when Hurricane Sandy hit

Hurricane Sandy was one of the worst disasters to hit our home. If you're from Staten Island, you know there wasn't much media coverage because the damage wasn't as extensive as some other places. Still, many people lost their homes and lives. But, as a borough, we stuck together to help one another out and keep hope alive in our community.

10. As much as you hate it, there is a whole lot of love for your borough

There are days where you want to give up and move. There are moments when you don't want to tell people you're from Staten Island. But at the end of the day. it's your home and you will always have a special place in your heart for it.