Every area and high school have their defining factors, but my Alma Mater, Marian Catholic, is so unique. Marian is near and dear to the hearts of so many and its traits are absolutely unforgettable no matter if you graduated 40 years ago, two years ago, or if you still go there. Here are some of my fondest recollections of Marian Catholic from my four years there.

1. Blue and Gold Shirt Days

No sporting event was the same without a blue and gold shirt day during school to go with it (uniform bottoms of course, though). And for the ladies, if it's football season, there's nothing more exciting than getting to wear one of the football players jerseys to school.

2. Rivalries

With our blue and gold shirt days obviously comes our games, which were always interesting. Being a Catholic school and constantly being accused of taking every school districts potential star athletes, came the rivalries, aka everyone. If you don't go to Marian or didn't go to Marian you probably hate Marian. Nothing personal, just simple science. Marian itself doesn't have a specific number one rival so whatever school district you're from is probably who you saw as our biggest competition.

3. The Blue Room

If your friend wasn't in class and their sport is in season, they're in the Blue Room.

4. Snow Days/Delays

Speaking of school districts, nothing is better than your school district getting a delay or snow day, but other districts having to go in. This meant that Marian doesn't have a day off, which means you don't have to make up barely any days at the end of the year (thanks for taking one for the team Hazleton and Tamaqua school district kids).

5. Mass Schedule

Nothing is better than having Mass every week and the shorter classes at least once a week is a pretty sweet bonus. Also, you always pray extra hard that there would be some sort of announcements or programming that needed to be done after Mass so your schedule is even more condensed.

6. Communion from the bleachers

There is absolutely nothing scarier than walking down the rickety old bleachers to get communion. Falling on my face and tumbling down the bleachers was always one of my biggest fears during Mass that almost came true too many times.

7. Rock Music Ministry

Nothing turned up Mass more than RMM. It made Church a lot more fun and lively. Cantacle of the Turning. Nuff said.

8. Catholic Schools Week

Every school gets a spirit week. At Marian we got spirit week and Catholic Schools Week which was just like spirit week, but better.

9. Duct Tape

I am almost positive that Marian Catholic High School is 87% duct tape. Anything that ever needs to be fixed is taken care of with duct tape. The building is still standing so I guess it really does work.

10. The Corral

If you didn't like the lunch that day or just wanted a snack The Corral is full of soft pretzels, nachos, candy, ice cream and other snacks. It's the closest thing I've seen to heaven thus far.

11. Mr. B's Soup

Last, but definitely not least, another fantastic part of lunch was if you found out that Mr. B made soup. They're all great, but everyone knows the French Onion is the best.

Marian is full of memories and such great things and that's part of what makes it such a special place for so many people. You will never find most of these things anywhere else. No matter where life takes you, Marian Catholic will always be home. Go Colts!