There's a strange beauty in the white steeple that towers over nearby hospitals and smoothie shops. There's a unique connection between H building, "the big gym," "the little gym," the Oasis, the courtyard, and all areas in between.

There's a sort of welcome offered by the open black gates and the H building doors (that don't open until 8:05, of course).

Because Calvary Day School is quirky- that's not even debatable- but it's a wonderful kind of quirky, a kind of quirky that you'll miss after May ends.

Here are 10 signs that you're a Cavalier, whether you started as a Can-Do Bear or you started half-way through your last year:

1. There is a big difference between the upstairs of H building and the downstairs of H building.

I need not even specify, but since I must... the downstairs is loud, the upstairs is not. If you hear loud history documentaries, cross-hall screaming matches (about positive subjects, no less), and certain teachers screeching bell-like sounds to mimic the dysfunctional real bell, then you're in the downstairs hallway. If you don't hear a peep, with the occasional exception of Spanish Christmas songs or yearbook Spotify jams, then you're in the upstairs hallway. Perhaps it's the difference in departments (English/history/religion versus math/science), or maybe the obsessive amount of coffee versus the smell of burnt popcorn. Whatever it is, we don't mind. We love the teachers both above and below, and we appreciate their differing personalities.

2. The plaid is actually purple and yellow, not purple and gold.

Whatever. It's all semantics, anyway.

3. Top hang-out spots include the courtyard, the gazebo, the trainer's room, and the library.

The courtyard and gazebo houses seniors who choose to take lunch outside, along with middle school students who await the 8:05 bell so they can *finally* go to their lockers before homeroom or homeroom chapel. The trainer's room is a Mecca for athletes and non-athletes alike, home to people who do the taping and others who do the talking. And the library? Well, the library is home to the AP section, the mysteriously silent study room, two superhero librarians, and a lot of back room Chromebooks. It's the ideal place to work on Truett-McConnell assignments, cram for chem, or ask for YA book recommendations.

4. Oh! And the various downstairs classrooms.

You've chilled in the huge orange chair at some point (if nobody else has already stolen it, that is). If you aren't sitting in the chair, then you are sitting in the room with pretty book flags, a Masters golf towel, or the Mickey Mouse souvenir hat.

5. "Do we have chapel?" is an obligatory question that can either make or break somebody's Tuesday.

Classes are shorter. You can freely jam to "Oceans." Maybe you'll be selected to participate in an on-stage game. Oh, and play a welcoming round of Kahoot! if you're lucky so you can let the whole upper school student body know how brilliant your Kahoot! username ideas are and so you can have a momentary excuse to take out your phone.

6. Baby powder tossing makes for awesome student section photos.

But that means either a.) you risk getting baby powder all over your phone while Snapchatting the short toss, b.) you hope someone else takes good pictures, or c.) you forget pictures and just toss the powder.

7. Class Games is no joke.

A time when legends are made and rumors of magical outside help are spread, Class Games is the equivalent of a Calvary Day Olympics or National Championship. There is no messing around. You'd better practice well before-hand, and you'd better be organized. Losing an event for your grade is unacceptable. But if you aren't the best at the three-legged race, izzy dizzy, or egg toss, at least bring random items for the scavenger hunt, please.

8. Neither are Homecoming Week theme days.

If your classmates say you need to dress up like an animal from Noah's ark, you need to dress up like an animal from Noah's ark. If they say you need to paint your whole face purple, you need to paint your whole face purple. If they say you need to wear a clown suit and ride a unicycle into chapel, you need to wear a clown suit and ride a unicycle into chapel. This is war.

9. Spiritual Emphasis Week is the best thing about January.

Awesome bands, awesome speakers, and personal talks with teachers and students. The end of January always presents a time to delve into issues that go beyond GPA or AR requirements. The week is full of opportunities to grow with the student body as a whole and as individuals.

10. You wouldn't trade your uniform for anything.

Okay, sometimes winter wear does get a little uncomfortable in the south Georgia heat. But you'd wear it for the rest of the year if it meant calling Calvary your home. Purple and gold is a unique mix, but you pull it off perfectly. You bleed purple and gold, and you always will. You are a part of the #CavFam, after all.