When I tell people I'm from Athens, the same questions always come up, such as, "Do you honestly like going to school in your hometown?" Or "Does being called a 'townie' offend you?" Being a townie isn't shameful or embarrassing. Honestly, I think it's a special experience that comes with some pros that other Bobcats just won't understand.

1. The little things of Athens most Bobcats don't know about

Thank goodness for the little things of A-town that aren't widely known by the college population, such as the killer coffeecake and hot chocolate at Spices of Life, the view of the town at night from the top level of the parking garage or the gorgeous stretches on the bike paths off-campus that are perfect for morning runs and strolls.

2. Family roots

Many of the townies that now attend Ohio University have been raised in a family of Bobcats. My uncle, parents and my sister all bleed green and white. It's something special that we all share together. Football games are a family outing, and we trade stories of the past and present, of what used to be and what now is of the university.

3. Abandoned uptown

My absolute favorite part of Athens is during summer and the breaks when all the students are gone. Our favorite food spots are always empty (nothing more glorious than no waiting for Chipotle) and even more, there's a special enchantment of the quiet stillness in the atmosphere. It's magical. I'll never forget the nights my friends and I ran around the empty brick-lined streets as if they were ours; they are some of the best memories I have.

4. Our hOUme, and our HOME

This isn't just the place where we went to our first college party, or where we pulled all-nighters studying (A.K.A. Netflixin') in our dorms. This is our home. We love it for so many reasons, and wherever we go, it'll stay with us. Athens is the place that holds our childhoods, and now is the place that creates our futures, too.