Oh, New Brighton. What a roller coaster you took me on growing up. But there were a few things you could count on and looked forward to if you went to New Brighton Area School District.

1. The 1 o'clock yell.

Hey, don't act like you didn't just start yelling in your head. This was something you looked forward to in both elementary and high school, and something you wished you did in middle school. This was the highlight of your Friday when everything else was just flat out boring. And let's be real, football is the thing in New Brighton to do on a Friday night, and there's no other way to prepare than to do the 1 O'clock yell. Thanks, Mr. Mittner.

EI-EI-EI-OH!

COME ON, LIONS - LET'S GO!

SCOOBY DOOBY DOOBY DOO!

*ahem* You're SO welcome.

2. Hanks

Hanks is the place to go when you want frozen custard or Mexican food, and for a good reason because HELLO. I love you. Let me eat all the frozen custard. This was the place you went to after softball games, baseball games, or pretty much any game you can think of. The only thing I wish they did was not charge you more money to use a card because I'm a poor college kid and those extra few dollars add up, ya know? Help a girl out!

3. Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe

This is no copy, my friends. This is the original! When people ask you where you're from, it usually ends in us just saying, "oh we're across the river from Geneva College...Yeah Beaver Falls, but just like across the river, there's a bridge..." Or, you'll say New Brighton and you usually get a look of confusion, or they'll say something along the lines of, "As in the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe?!" And yes, all of the above does happen.

4. Open Lunch

I'm starting to see a trending theme here of food; just call us foodies I guess! Open Lunch is the best time of your life if you were lucky enough to get it in high school. Open Lunch is when you actually get to leave school during your lunch period and eat wherever you want. That is, wherever you can go and eat in time! Usually that meant me going to either my house or a friends house, but hey, FOOD that isn't SCHOOL FOOD. And let me tell ya, some of the best times ever.

5. Kazapalooza

Before we get started, let me just tell you, yes, I know that Mr. Kaz has retired, but yes it still continues on and BEST. DAY. EVER. Kazapalooza happened on one of the last days of school to celebrate another year done. There would be a picnic outside, games to play with different teachers, a DJ outside, and pretty much just relax and have a good time doing whatever. It was the day you ALWAYS looked forward to. Except for one week we call...

6. JUG WEEK

Even if you didn't necessarily attend New Brighton or Beaver Falls schools, if you're in the general area you probably knew what it was anyways. But, jug week is what you looked forward to EVERY. YEAR. Is the football team good? Honestly, couldn't give you an answer. But with Beaver Falls being in the division above us (as far as I know they still are) it didn't always seem likely that we will win. BUT, it didn't mean that we did not have a good time anyways! It was our spirit week at New Brighton, and it was the only time of year that we could scream in the hallways in between classes, and our principle at the time would actually join in! Pep rally's, face painting, all the fun you could imagine in a week.

I certainly had my ups and downs at New Brighton, but these six things were always a joy to be a part of and I certainly am glad that I had these experiences in my life. And let's be real, a lot of these things still are, and if they aren't the memories of them will be something that I remember my whole life.