Everyone claims that their high school is "the best." They may have a good football team or a top-notch cafeteria. They may have the best technology, or even the coolest teachers, but not one school has the spirit that Anthony Wayne High School has. Although it's impossible to cram four years and all of the people and experiences of AWHS into one article, here's a few things recognizable to those who went there.
1. We had the best Principal ever.
Yes, Mrs. Hoellrich we LOVE you. She wasn't just looked at as our principal, she was a loving friend that you always respected. No doubt , she knew you by your first name when you passed her in the hallway. You could find her at any sporting event on the sidelines wearing her blue and white cheering as loud as she could, at student gradation parties, or on the band trip bus. She is a role model that everyone looks up to. She made our high school experience unforgettable.
2. You counted down the days to Senior Picnic
I think that everyone can admit that the senior picnic lived up to our expectations. With the administration grilling out hot-dogs and hamburgers and watching everyone get bruises from the slipping slide; this day did not disappoint.
3. Win or lose, we celebrated accordingly
We went through ups and downs from season to season but in the end we always knew how to celebrate a time of being young and free.
4. “I have B lunch what about you?”
Trying to match your schedule with all of your friends actually caused you headaches. Same with the hunt for the perfect lunch schedule and the perfect lunch table.
5. There has always been an awkward rivalry between the Newspaper and Yearbook club
Still to this day, no one knows why...
6. Pep rallies were the biggest joke
As much as we have to give credit to the administration for trying, our pep rallies were just not what they made it out to be. It was more a competition of who could sneak out before the assembly then who could get the closest spot in the stands.
7. We have the best band in the land.
Our band is legendary, with an astonishing number of 150 musicians. If the football team didn't win the bands performance always did every Friday night. Their pregame, halftime, post game show always pumped up the general spirit. They have been scene marching all around the world including, London, England, Disney World, Chicago, Kentucky Derby, and the list goes on and on. It is a privilege to be a Marching General.
8. Our parking lots were divided up Senior, Junior, and Sophomore.
It was the most frustrating thing when you had that person that did not follow that rule.
9. Constantly being worried that Mr. Contat, Gaubatz, or Bocian would bust you for dress code.
Any girl can admit that you would pull down your shorts as far as they would go before walking out in the hallways or avoid walking by the office just in case you decided to be a rebel and wear a tank top that day.
10. Powder Puff Football was aggressive
11. You pretty much grew up with these people.
Really, no matter how big Anthony Wayne got, it somehow always managed to feel like a small town.
12. DECA always seemed to be winning something or going somewhere
13. You follow Jim Fritz on Twitter
You would always check his profile at 6am to see if there would be a school closing or delay because we realized that putting a spoon under our pillow did not work.
14. Do not walk in the science hallway during dissection week.
One word, Cats, and anyone can remember the horrible smell that circulated the hallways for months.
15. AWHS cheerleading holds the most State tittles.
It doesnt come easy. Like any sport, our cheerleaders practice long hours after school perfecting there 2 min cheer routine to bring back the 1st place trouphy
16. Mr. Shiverdecker
Need I say more? He's seriously the most loved and sometimes hated man in the school, but I think any Alumni that had him can thank him for his strict, impossible assingments because college english classes are a breeze.
17. Waiting to hear what Musical the theater department was putting on.
Our music department ever fails to put on some of the most amazing performances. It was always a rush to buy tickets to go see our wonderful musicians perform.
18. Having study hall with Mr. Smith
You could honestly hear him before you could actually see him. Who assigned the football coach be in charge of study hall. When he screamed your name you couldn't help but laugh at his attempt of being serious.
19. We wouldn't do anything in gym during the week of the Masters.
Mr. Mossing was a character, and one of the best phyically education teachers Anthony Wayne has seen. He loved showing his students the importance of staying active, but when it came to the week of the Masters, he was glued to his computer and we were glued to our seats doing a paper activity.
20. Fort Myers was the place to be over Spring Break
Pretending we were a lot older than we were was pretty fun and made unforgettable memories.
21. Smooth talking the secretaries or counselors to write you a pass to your class if you were late.
Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but it was always worth a try. If they didnt write you one they would at least always give you a hug.
22 We made MTV
It was the cheesiest episode MTV has produced yet. Click "If you really knew me | ep.102" to watch it.
23. The hallways on the last day of school
As much as we felt horrible for throwing all of our papers everywhere, it was a must every last day of school. We hope that the custodians got paid over-time for their back surgery they would probably need.
24. General Nation
Not many schools can compare to our dedication and pride of being a General. Whether its starting national trends on twitter to have Scott Disick come party with a local mother fighting cancer, wearing pink to support the ones we love and have lost, and hosting of numerous events such as benefit dinners, there is an advantage of living in a community that never fails to reach out during a time of loss. We fight every day and simply declare how great it feels to live and be a part of the general nation.