When you're 16, everything is horrible, especially your town of 1500. All you want is a bigger school, more to do and a Taco Bell (come on, CG). I grew up in a town with no stoplights and lived feet away from the train tracks. I laugh when people ask me where I'm from because I know there is no way they have ever heard of it. Aside from all of this, I couldn't be prouder to be a product of Cerro Gordo Ill., so thank you to my tiny hometown.

1. For teaching me family doesn't always mean blood

There is no stranger when it comes to a family in need, and that is the most admirable quality our town has. When tragedy strikes our small town, no one is alone. Everyone sets aside their differences to come together with kindness and support. I have witnessed the outpouring of love the citizens of our town have given to the people who need it. It's incredible to be a part of a family like that.

2. For making me feel safe

After moving to a bigger town, I realized how safe I really felt in my hometown. Thank you for never giving me a reason to lock my car and for letting me run the streets with friends all night without feeling any sense of danger. Thank you for letting "It's Cerro Gordo" translate to, "Nothing like that happens here."

3. For showing me significance in community

Even after being away from home for months, I love that I can catch up with the ladies in Casey's like I had never left. I love that I can still wave at people as I drive by without wondering whom I'm waving at. I love being able to go back to high school events and talk to people like I had seen them yesterday. It never gets old knowing you have people like that to come back to.

4. For kind of teaching me about sports

I know it's sad that after four-plus years of cheering for football I still don't know enough to stay interested, but thank you for the experience. High school sports may not seem like a big deal, but they're so much more than the sport itself. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to cheer on my high school teams. I learned so much more than how many points a touchdown gets you when I was jumping up and down and hugging my girls after a win. I'm so thankful to be from a town that places importance on athletics.

5. For giving me a place to miss

I never thought I would look back once I moved away, but I cannot wait to get home sometimes. There is something so wonderful about coming from such a close community. Even though I complained constantly in high school, I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow into the person I am. I can't say how different life would have been in a town with stoplights and a Taco Bell, but I'm willing to bet it wouldn't have been as much of a loving experience.