Like described in Morgan Wallen’s hit song, “More than my Hometown,” the nostalgic and admirable feelings that surround the word “hometown” come from the memories and flashbacks of growing up in the same town for years on end. These memories, some bad, some good, are like pages from a cherished book filled with first steps, first dates, and stupid decisions. Every park bench, neighborhood, and highschool classroom holds a story that unravels the invisible strings and butterfly affects of life. What are some of these memories for FHS students?
“Fishers is where I grew up,” said sophomore Lauren Hawes. “I remember going to Nickel Plate and Symphony on the Prairie to see amazing shows like the Michael Jackson impersonators and the Beatles. We’d go with family friends and it’d be something fun to do on summer evenings.”
While many people have the same or similar memories as others in their hometown, there are also unique experiences to every place. These late nights and laughs serve as reminders to the roots of the story of life and what shaped the person into who they are today. Fishers offers experiences and activities around every corner that teenagers partake in that are only available in the city. The hidden railroad tracks, places everyone from school hangs out at, and spooky roads to drive down are what make up the individuality and distinctiveness of hometowns.
“When I live on my own, if I can find the time, I will probably come back to Fishers on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and during the summer,” said Hawes. My family usually hosts holidays and I like spending time with the family members I don’t see often.”
One of the most important parts of a hometown that brings members back is the family and friends that reside there. Without loved ones, the town would simply no longer feel like home. Parents, bestfriends, and old relationships could all be waiting in the town and when visiting it feels as if an old chapter of a story is being reread. According to Fox News, the most popular time to travel home is Thanksgiving. However, while some people enjoy reminiscing, others find it’s best to leave history in the past.
“I grew up half my life in Lakewood, Washington, and in sixth grade I moved to Fishers,” said Junior Phoenix White. “I consider both these places my hometown because Lakewood made me who I am today, but Fishers also shaped me in ways. Lakewood was a pretty place, but Fishers has a kind and caring community.”
Although some people spend their childhood years or even whole life in one town, others have multiple places they consider home. Cherishing family and friends in different places is a struggle only some have to face, but it is also special to most who know they always have somewhere to go. White believes that she wouldn’t be who she is without both of these places showing her different experiences. There are positives and negatives to every town and sometimes it’s hard to realize this until moving away.
“In Fishers there’s activities like Spark, farmers markets on the weekend, and school games,” said White. “All of these things involve the community and it’s a way to go out and connect with new people.”
Overall, hometowns are a place where people grow up together and have moments that shape them into who they are today. People are able to interact with others in activities they can’t find anywhere else. Hometowns are like roots of trees that stay planted in the ground forever.
