East Rockaway: a small town about a mile long, filled with generations of families. When people ask you, "What town are you from?" your response is usually, "The town next to Lynbrook or Oceanside" because not a single person knows where East Rockaway is. East Rockaway High School is probably the smallest high school in America, but also the greatest. There are things that make East Rockaway High School unique and like no other place. Here are a few things that every ERHS student absolutely has dealt with and can relate to.

You know you go to East Rockaway High School when...

1. There are 90 kids in your graduating class.

Being that the town is so small, the class sizes are just the same. Typically, a graduating class is no more than 100 kids. You know everyone by name and usually their entire extended family.

2. You know everyone in the school.

So not only do you know everyone in your grade, but you know every kid in the entire school, as well as the teachers. It is not uncommon to have friends in other grades.

3. The grades go from 7th to 12th grade.

Instead of being like every other town in the world, East Rockaway High School holds the middle school as well. All of your friend's annoying younger siblings don't just harass you when you're hanging out at home, they harass you in between classes, too.

4. Your parents had the same teachers as you do.

It's normal that on your first day of 7th grade a teacher sees you and says, "Oh your (insert parent's name here)'s kid!"

5. The months of January to March are consumed by Rock Rivalry activities.

I would try and explain what Rock Rivalry is, but you just wouldn't get it unless you're from East Rockaway, and no, it is not like battle of the classes. Rock Rivalry weekend will be one of the best weekends of your life.

6. Your goal is to win the cup.

The reward for winning Rock Rivalry is a shiny silver cup. If you don't go to East Rockaway High School you might say, "Why is this a big deal?" No one really knows exactly, but there is some sort of glory associated with obtaining the cup. Coming from someone who won it, it is pretty awesome.

7. Sports Night is a big deal.

Since Sports Night counts towards winning the Rock Rivalry Cup, it is extremely important. Each class goes head to head at various events such as under-over, cage volleyball and adventure walk. You would think you're at the Olympic Games watching it.

8. You spend your lunch period and all off periods sitting in Mr. Gerken's room.

If you're from East Rockaway you know how great Mr. Gerken is. His room is like your second home and you spend every free moment in there with him. You would stay there all day if you could.

9. There are no secrets.

Everything you did last weekend is common knowledge and there is no escaping it. Everyone knows everything so moral of the story is don't mess up.

10. You sit at the red benches.

There are several landmarks in East Rockaway High School and the red benches are one of them. You can spend your off periods here or your lunch period, but only if you're an upperclassman. There is nothing special about them, they are literally just red benches, but they have been in the school for as long as anyone can remember.

11. You have to go outside for Tech.

The technology building at East Rockaway High School is separate from the school building. In 7th grade, you bragged about having to walk all the way from your locker to the tech. As you got older, you hated it because of course it rained when you had class.

12. You park your car on Prospect.

There isn't student parking at ERHS. If you can drive and you have a car, you usually park on the street right across from the school. Everyone always made sure to get to school early to get a good spot. God forbid your spot got stolen while you were at lunch.

13. People from other towns make fun of your mascot.

Okay, The Rockman isn't that great of a mascot, but to East Rockaway, it is something more than that. It is a symbol of pride for your town and the solidity of the community.

14. People from other towns also make fun of your school colors.

Usually, people will say that our school colors remind them of Halloween, but I know that every Rock is proud to wear the orange and black.

If you live in East Rockaway or go to East Rockaway High School, there will most likely be a time where you say, "I need to get out of here!" But once you think about it, East Rockaway is one of the best places. The sense of unity and togetherness is not as strong anywhere else in my opinion. It has been a great experience to grow up here and I am forever grateful to be apart of such a special town. Once a Rock always a Rock!