Raise your hand if you're proud to be a Westford Academy graduate!

I probably compared my high school to a prison close to one hundred times, but nonetheless, I'm beyond thankful that Westford Academy's walls hold four years of my memories. Here are some signs you're a proud WA graduate like me:

1. You're becoming incredibly used to this conversation:

Random Person: Oh, Westford Academy? Is that a private school?

You: *Momentarily considers saying 'Hell yes, it's a very prestigious private school.'* No, it's our public school.

2. You refer to an all-grey outfit as "grey nasty," not "groutfit."

Took me a few months to transition to saying groutfit so my college friends would stop making fun of me. Apparently no one knows the term grey nasty. (????) This still baffles me.

3. You or a friend has worked at Market Basket or with Westford's Recreation Department.

It took me about two minutes to come up with a friend who doesn't work one of these two places.

4. You're an incredible writer in comparison to your college classmates.

Even if you weren't a great writer at WA, you're gifted next to the students at your college.

*Disclaimer: I'm not saying everyone I met at college is a bad writer. I've had the privilege to meet some phenomenal writers. I don't want to insult anyone and I realize that writing well is extremely difficult. I am by no means a perfect writer myself. Westford Academy teachers just place such a strong emphasis on developing as a writer, so I had to recognize that. It may have been frustrating at the time, but my college professors and I are immensely grateful.

5. You learned to ski or snowboard at Nashoba.

#nashtag

6. 1:55 p.m. will never just be 1:55 p.m.

Neither will 7:35 a.m. or 12:05 p.m. Long block is over? Hell yeah.

7. You don't think a grey ghost is a weird mascot.

Okay, it's a really weird mascot, but only Westford Academy students are allowed to say that.

8. You hate AB.

Rivals are rivals forever.

9. You have either been in and thoroughly enjoyed one of Mr. Cruikshank's classes or you've been jealous of the people who have gotten to.

There is no in between. Mr. Cruikshank is the best.

P.S. Did you know he went to Duke?

10. You've been a part of the rollercoaster on the bleachers at football games.

If you're confused reading this, then you're missing out on so much.

11. You've bragged once or twice (or one thousand times) about your class trip to Disney World.

Oh, you went to Six Flags? You went into Boston? Lol, that's funny because I went to Disney World. I used to try not to sound like I was bragging and then I realized that there's no way not to brag about going to Disney World with your senior class, so I might as well own it.

12. You've panicked and stepped to the side after hearing the words "Hot coffee, coming through!" only to remember, milliseconds later, that it's just Mr. Parent trying to get through the hallways.

It always gets me.

13. You've low-key fan-girled over members of WATA.

Say what you will about them, but they're talented as sh*t and will probably all be famous one day.

14. Referring to Sports Dinners as SPAGS.

Apparently this isn't a thing everywhere else? Who knew.

15. You've felt the glory of being a senior during spirt rally.

Decked out in blackout, ready to take on the world, storming the field after riding out on a truck and dominating as always.

16. You've stood in the hour long line at Chipotle on half days.

You know everyone's going there. You know the line will be out the door. Your plan does not falter for a moment. You're going to Chipotle.

17. Calling Junior Prom Cotillion instead of Junior Prom.

I've finally gotten used to calling it Junior Prom so people know what I'm talking about, but I honestly feel like I'm cheating WA when I do. It's Cotil in my heart, forever. Not to mention the fact that it's always at Kimball's Farm, but we're still all dressed like Kings and Queens.

18. Staying up all night after Graduation at Last Night.

And still struggling to tell stories about it. "No, not actually last night as in yesterday, I mean at Last Night."

P.S. Hopefully no one else breaks their f*cking neck at Last Night like my friend did because I spent most of the night in an ambulance and hospital, but I hear it's super fun. (Shout out to Momo, glad I spent the night with you!)

19. Having an entire course dedicated to the history of your town.

"What class are you going to?"

"Westford History! We're going on a field trip to get pizza at WHOP."

I still don't get what this class even is and how it got approved by anyone, but whatever.

20. Snack bar cookies, muffins and sherbet.

Dessert never looked so good.

21. You know there isn't a pool on the third floor.

That would be cool though.

22. Having two gyms.

Once again, not a thing everywhere else? I thought that was normal.

23. The best part of your day being meditation in yoga class.

College friends: I wish high school had naps.

Me: *giggles awkwardly and remembers sleeping everyday during yoga* Lol, same.

24. Praying for Bill to pull through with a snow day.

All the tweets. #PullThroughBill #CancelWA

Our poor superintendent. We love you, Bill.

25. Having phenomenal, inspiring, intelligent and genuinely kind teachers and going to school in a place that fosters both educational and personal growth.

Obviously there's the occasional exception, but for the most part, Westford Academy is filled with an amazing staff. The teachers are experts in their fields, the deans want you to have fun and be safe (yes, even Betsy), the janitors are kind, the lunch ladies make me smile, the nurse's are hilarious, the counselors are always there for you and the office staff are all gems. Everyone wants you to succeed. I'm incredibly thankful for the place I grew up. Love you, WA.