BULLDOG PRIDE

just a couple weeks after i had moved to nc, i showed up at football tryouts at west alexander.  i was so nervous.  i knew nobody!  to add to that, i had never played football before.  in viroqua, we only had flag football not tackle.  at west alexander i quickly discovered i was the only one that hadn't played before.  coach K said, "hurry up everybody get your equipment ready and head to the field."  i didn't even know what i needed.  i thought football pads came with the pants.  i didn't know where they went or how to even get them in.  fortunately, there was a parent there to help me, but honestly it was the start to a very miserable day.  when we took the field in our stretching lines.  coach said, "snap your helmets on and lets get to work."  ...i couldn't even snap my chinstrap!  i couldn't seem to get the hang of it.  once i eventually got it snapped, i left my helmet on all practice in fear i wouldn't get it back on.  i went home that night and in practiced snapping my chinstrap on in front of the mirror.  I felt so lucky i made the team!  i thought i would have been cut for sure!  but, football at west turned out being the best way to make friends.  by the time the first day of school rolled around i had already made friends to help me make the transition.

i was shocked by how many people were at west.  my old school had 4 times less students per grade then west did.  although it was really large, it helped me find a niche that i fit in.  i can honestly say that i loved west alexander.  after a short couple weeks i had become friends with so many different people.  and now i miss middle school.  that was the perfect age.  there was no responsibility or drama.  everyone was a family.  that was the age before people started drinking, getting jobs, or doing their own thing.  to add to the daily fun, we went undefeated in football my 8th grade year.  the first undefeated year at west in school history.  also to highlight that year we went on a bunch of trips.  we went to greensboro and myrtle beach for junior beta, and we went to the outer banks for our 8th grade trip.  and this is just a few.  my whole middle school career was a highlight.  it seems like the older you get the less fun you have, but i will always remember that age.