By Lauren Rauseo
Leaving high school, I hated my hometown. I hated the problematic politics I was associated with when I said I was from New Hampshire, I hated the emphasis my high school placed on things like football, and I hated the people who ruined my high school experience.
If I had to be honest, Londonderry wasn’t that bad! I ended high school knowing exactly who I wanted to be: an editor living in a big city. I quit basketball and re-started dance at the age of 14, I dyed the ends of my hair pink, learned how to drive, and recovered from an eating disorder.
But there were people I couldn’t stand in that town, and for a while I let them ruin my perception of New Hampshire altogether.
Even when I went abroad, I lied and said I was from Massachusetts (technically it wasn’t a lie, as all my extended family live here, and my mom was moving to Mass). Essentially, one could say I was stretching the truth.
Long story short, I was embarrassed of New Hampshire -- that was until this weekend.
At Stonehill, there are a surprising number of people from Londonderry High. One is a new friend of mine whom I was too embarrassed to approach last year when I saw her at the gym. After coming to my suite on a random Saturday this semester, the two of us have become true friends.
Last weekend, she invited me and a few friends to a tailgate before Stonehill’s football game. While there, I met at least two other girls from Londonderry.
Coincidentally, a couple of close friends from my hometown happened to be visiting Stonehill that night, so, with all of us there, I suppose you could call it a townie tailgate. We drank, played games, and talked about our crazy French teacher and our old friends -- never in my life had I felt so connected to New Hampshire.
Leaving the tailgate, I was a bit upset with myself.
Upon reflection, I realized that I had been letting a group of people who I don’t even talk to anymore dictate my perception of my hometown. I love Londonderry. I love the bright green soccer fields and the apple trees.
Though it took me until the ripe age of 21, I now understand the importance of being proud of where you come from for the way it facilitates connection with others.
My name is Lauren Rauseo, and though I now live in Massachusetts, I grew up in Southern New Hampshire on a street called Shady Lane. I would not be who I am today without that.
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