I grew up in the little town of Rose Hill, Kansas, home of the Rockets. We’re a small bedroom community with approximately 4,000 people. We have no downtown area, no grocery store, four restaurants, three stop lights, two fast food places, one gas station, several churches, and LOTS of trains. I would say we are what you would call your typical small town- the everyone knows everyone type of environment. Our town is centered around our school district because we are a suburb of Wichita, which brings in many students. We have about 500 students in our high school and when I tell people that, they are always shocked. Everyone grew up together, for the most part, and so everyone knows pretty much everything about each other. We have trains come through Rose Hill all the time; it is not uncommon to hear on the intercom at school, “Please excuse the students that were tardy because of the train”. I’m sure if you grew up in a small town you’re able to relate to some characteristics of Rose Hill, but our town is very unique in some ways.

The common phrase is “There’s not much to do here, so we make our own fun”. While that is definitely true about Rose Hill; we are a little different from most small towns. Most towns have a downtown of some sort to go walk around with friends or a small movie theater to spend the weekends at or a town swimming pool to see all the local kids. Rose Hill has none of that. We don’t even have a grocery store anymore. While this sounds like a problem, the kids have got it figured out. The younger kids ride their bikes to Sonic to get a drink, to Dollar General to get a snack, and then to a friend’s house with a pool to spend the whole afternoon. For the older kids, Sonic is the “go to” place. Everyone goes there after school, practice, and home football games. They all get out and sit at the tables and talk for hours. Just a few years ago Rose Hill dug a man-made pond, where many hours have been spent walking the dog around the pond or just sitting with friends and fishing, or just enjoying the outdoors. While it may not seem like a lot to do to outsiders, we know how to make our own fun.

We are a very supportive community. When any sports team is about to go to the State tournament, we have a send off where families and students can yell and wave signs to wish the team luck. To top it off, obviously, there is a police and fire truck escort, complete with sirens and honking. All the local business’s windows are covered in signs and window paint, wishing the team luck. Signs line Rose Hill Road with the players’ names, showing support. Students are excused from school to come watch and it becomes a giant occasion. The Rose Hill Rockets may be small, but we are mighty.

Rose Hill is also a rally town during the toughest times. Just last week, there was a giant flood that washed through the town, causing treacherous road conditions and closings, people that needed to be rescued, and flooded basements. Rescue personnel spent countless hours helping people in need. Neighbors helped neighbors tear out carpet and insulation in the middle of the night. Churches helped families have a place to go and recover. Even the football team went to a few of the houses and helped anywhere needed. And when help could only go so far, everyone just prayed. This is what it means to live in a small town. When times get tough, everyone is there for each other to lend a hand or to be a shoulder to cry on. The flood is just one example, but there have been countless other times where our little town has supported each other through hard times. Whether it be house fires or someone needs help with medical bills, there are always food and clothing drives, car washes, and other fundraisers to help out the families in need.

Rose Hill is a giant family that has each other’s backs through the good and bad times. No matter if you move away, it will always be that place where memories were made and everywhere you go there is a familiar face. My town isn’t perfect, but we have a lot going for it that is right. We grow up together, support each other, and help one another. We may not even have a grocery store, but show me how a big city can even begin to compare to this way of life. I wouldn’t trade my small town USA for the world.