A year ago, it was decided that my high school would close. Oddly enough, our mascot is the phoenix. This decision has brought anger, sadness and reminiscences to my community. The phoenix will not rise in 2017, but instead remain ashes for years to come. The closing of a high school, any school really, is tragic. However, I would like to focus on the positives that the decision was the catalyst to.

There was an uproar in my community when it was decided Lincoln-Way North, usually shortened to North, was closing. The school is virtually brand new, has stellar academic records and has success in athletics as well. Being five hours away, I didn’t feel the impact the closing had on my community until I came home. I was there for a short time, but I could feel the rage and despair. However, I would like to shed a positive on the uproar that occurred. While my community is small, we never really bonded together, but all that changed when North was closed. A group, Lincoln-Way Taxpayers Unite, was formed, a lawyer was hired and the community was heard. When looking at the closing, I would like to focus on the sense of community it formed. A flawed system was called into question, challenged and is slowly being reformed. Although it is sad we fought for it when it was taken away from us, a community bonded together. Lincoln-Way North parents, relatives and students stood together for a central message. The message being that we are here and we wish to stay.

The building might stand empty next school year but bricks and mortar do not begin to cover what North was and is. North was the staff. North was the faculty. North was the facilities in it, but it is the coaches and teachers that made it. North is the students that fought for great test scores. North is not simply an academic building, but a community and spirit. Although the building will be empty, the people live on. I still remember the first teacher to ever call me smart, the laps I ran around the red-turf track and the laughter that echoed the halls. I remember the counselor that kept an eye on me during a hard time, even when I refused her help. I remember a school that got me to where I am today: a dual major college student with a 3.8 GPA. They may take away the building, but they cannot take away the essence of North. The people, memories and skills will exude from the individuals that were touched by the high school.

This year the phoenix will turn to ashes for one last time, leaving only the remnants of a passionate school behind. Academic excellence, athletic recognition and passion cannot be held in by bricks. Without this closing, I believe our community would have remained divided. Like individuals do, I believe students would take North and what it provided, for granted. For phoenix graduates, I encourage you to look at North as a foundation to who you are. For those who are moving to other schools, I encourage you to take the spirit of North with you. Do not mourn the phoenix, be the phoenix. Create the rebirth of a school that gave so much, but was given so little (Thanks Illinois!). Hail to the phoenix rising, hail to fire eternal and stay ever true North community.