For those of you who haven't been blessed enough to learn, Somerset (Franklin Township) is just west of New Brunswick, NJ, a.k.a. Rutgers. It may not be the biggest town, or the most well-known, but it is completely unique for oh-so-many reasons. Here are some things you'll know only if you went to F.H.S. or grew up in Somerset:
1. Homecoming is everything.
And not just the football game. Most years, the dance is filled to capacity with underclassmen wishing it were prom. I heard recently that it moved from the Events Lobby to the gym, so for those of you who don't believe me, I promise you it was everything.
2. Thanksgiving football versus P-Way.
Alumni come out in their 30-year-old varsity jackets that fit just a little too snug on this historic day. The bleachers are especially full when it's a home game. Doesn't matter if you have to go to Grandma's later that day--you drag your butt to those freezing cold bleachers.
3. School spirit is off the charts.
It used to be, anyway. Sorry about your pep rallies (looking at you, Spider Man from the class of 2012. You were great, though.)
4. You have to make your own fun.
Franklin is extremely residential and industrial. While some places, i.e. Rt 27, have lots to do, those of you closer to the middle school/high school know you're stuck eating at Stage House 99 percent of the time when you go out on the weekends.
5. Kettlemans.
If you're from anywhere near Franklin, this needs zero explanation. Oh god, I could so go for a bacon (or pork roll), egg and cheese on an everything bagel right now.
6. Everyone works in one of several places.
ShopRite, Stop&Shop, Dunkin', CVS, RiteAid or essentially any of the up-and-coming stores around the high school.
7. Late buses.
The shoving and cramming onto buses (especially those going across town) should be made illegal. There will be enough seats, I promise. Ditto feels for late bus passes.
8. Constantly changing Principals.
I graduated in 2013, and during my tenure at FHS I went through approximately 9 principals. No exaggeration.
9. Unreliable traffic.
First of all, trying to get anywhere west of Cedar Brook Lane any time near when the high school gets out is impossible. And South Middlebush or Rt 27 at rush hour? Forget about it.
10. Relatives assume you'll either go to Rutgers or RVCC.
The giant Big 10 school down the road is fondly referred to as "FHS Part 2," while your local community college is one of the best around.
11. Somerset and Franklin are interchangeable.
Unless the person you're talking to is from the area, you usually just refer to your hometown as Somerset. Since there are four other Franklins in New Jersey, you have to be specific.
12. You either can't wait to leave, or stay there for life.
I'm a second generation Franklin resident (my father grew up here), and I fall under the category of "can't wait to leave." But I do know some people who plan on putting down their own roots, just like their parents did, and raising their families here too.
13. Crazy amounts of diversity.
No one can deny that Franklin is a diverse town, especially geographic-wise. You can go from bustling city to quiet suburbia to farmlands to industrial plots all in the time it takes to say "Make it a great day or not, FHS, the choice is yours."
14. Warriors for life.
No matter where you end up in life you know you love your town and Alma Mater, and you know that growing up in Franklin shaped you into the smart, diverse person you are today.