Author:	Anayeli Trejo
	Grade:	Junior
	School:	Bridgeport
	Mascot:	Mustangs
	League:	Central Washington 2B
	Classification:	2B

Life in a Small Town With a population of about 2,500 and 3 parks as “points of interest” when you google my hometown I have to admit there’s a lack of entertainment in Bridgeport, WA. However to me, it has always been home. Our small school district, one hallway schools, and tiny class sizes are shocking to most. Often when people ask me about where I go to school, and I begin to describe the dynamic of BHS they are genuinely surprised to hear about how small it is and the way we function like a well oiled machine. There’s another side to these reactions though sometimes I receive a condescending “wow,” or even more questions as to how I can live in a town like “that”. Here’s how I survive living like “that”: sports, extra-curriculars, and the amazing people I am surrounded with daily. From an early age sports were a major part of my life, throughout middle school and high school I found an amazing support system within my teammates and coaches. From basketball to track every day after school there was something for me to look forward to. In the small setting I felt comfortable enough to try sports I wasn’t entirely sure about. Everyone made an effort to ensure a welcoming environment. My freshman year I played soccer; a bold move for someone who had never played before. Come basketball it was my turn to help the girls who had never played before feel welcome. One of my friends decided to join the team, but she was new and there was a language barrier when it came to basketball terms. Every single one of my teammates helped translate and our coaches took the time to demonstrate drills to her one on one. Living in a small town allows the people you see on a daily basis become a tight knit group of friends, who can instantly become small families. Small towns give you a limited number of options when it comes to basically anything including extra-curricular activities. This remains true for my high school, we have a total of 6 not including sports; ASB, Chess Club, Multicultural Club, FFA, and FBLA. Despite our limited resources and budgets we manage to have a lot of fun and be involved in the organization and execution of almost everything our clubs do. I’m always busy running amongst ASB, Multicultural, and FFA, trying to plan fundraisers, meetings, assemblies, and competitions. The size of our school makes it possible for students to be involved in all or most of the 6, we work together to avoid scheduling conflicts, and give each other ideas. As much as I would enjoy having other options I am entirely content with the ones we do have, and what I have chosen to do and dedicate myself to. They have brought me great leadership opportunities, and taught me how to be incredibly organized. Most importantly I have made incredible memories within these clubs and organizations. I get the privilege of knowing every person I go to school with, and as odd as this might seem I’m almost sure I know where over half of the students at my high school live. You rarely see a new face in the crowd, and when you do you know it’s a new student and make sure to get to know them, because not knowing someone is weird to us. I go to a high school where if you have ever had an older sibling who also attended BHS all of your teachers will inevitably accidentally call you by their name. It can get old but it gives me a sense of home. Knowing everyone is something I am beyond grateful for, not only does it make school ten times more fun, but it can make tragedy a bit more bearable. The support you can get from a small school, and small town is beyond compare. During this school year my family and I experienced a great loss, and thanks to my amazing friends, coaches, and teachers, my sister and I were able to move forward. From missed classes to practices no one let us fall behind and helped us along the way. Life in a small town means being able to rely on everyone and having one another's backs. I wouldn’t trade living like “that” for anything else if it meant I had to leave behind the second family I have gained in this small town.