Making lifelong memories after the big game

Scarlet Baumann, Staff Writer & Milo Park, Staff Writer
While academics and grades often steal the spotlight in a typical high school experience, students make true memories outside the classroom. By participating in school events and sports games— whether in large or small groups— students can make their four-year stay in high school less stressful and much more fun. At Northview High School, school spirit runs deep in the community, and a primary way students show their school spirit is by cheering at Northview’s football games. Students also enjoy spending time after these games to grab a bite and hang out with friends. For many, it’s the post-game hangouts that make these game nights unforgettable.

“Every time there’s a home game, I try my best to be there,” senior Averi Mayer said. “Usually right after the football games, we’ll go to Waffle House. I love a good All-Star Special [meal].”

Mayer is a regular customer at Waffle House on Medlock Bridge Road after these games, and she thoroughly enjoys going on these outings with her friends. She believes these post-game meetups are a great way to meet friends she misses in the crowd during the heat of the games. Along with a nice meal, Mayer enjoys the company of her friends, even those from outside Northview.

“I think it’s fun watching other schools trickle into restaurants like Waffle House after their games and [it’s fun] being able to catch up with kids from different high schools,” Mayer said.

As it gets later into the night and the chaotic excitement of the games has reduced into a mellow buzz, Mayer also mentions that she loves to wind down at a friend’s house and get ready to turn in after a long night full of energy.

Mayer’s go-to spot after games may be Waffle House, but for junior Rebeca Murphy, it’s all about Taco Bell. As a member of Northview Nation, she tries her best to attend every game to support the Titans, and she loves doing it. Post-game hangouts for Murphy look slightly different from Mayer’s, but they still share the same electric energy and excitement.

“My go-to food at Taco Bell is usually the Crispy Chicken Cantina Taco, a large Baja Blast, and Nacho Fries,” said Murphy. “Honestly, going out to eat with your friends or simply hanging out is so fun.”

Murphy also shares that she wasn’t always free to enjoy game nights as much as she can today, but is appreciative of all the time she is now able to spend with her friends.

“My mom is super strict, and last year, she didn’t even let me stay the entire game and would usually pick me up at 9 p.m.,” said Murphy. “Having more freedom this year, I really see the importance in trying to appreciate every moment I can, especially since I felt [like] I missed out a lot last year.”

Not only that, but Murphy also emphasizes that graduation day for her and her friends is looming closer and closer, making every memory more cherished and maintaining friendships even more important. She finds joy in making these memories after games and says they are usually the most memorable for her.

Even if it’s not making friends across different high schools, or making memories that will last a lifetime, simply going to these post-game hangouts has brought lots of gratification to many others, including junior Camilla Sanint.

“I often go to Waffle House with my friends,” Sanint said. “I think it’s a great way to connect with your friends and just bond over random stuff -- everyone’s just in a good mood after.”

Although the jam-packed schedules of many students at Northview take a lot of time out of a day, leaving time to do something fun with friends and treat oneself to a delicious meal allows many to detox from school stressors. In the process, they also get to create lasting memories, giving students all the more reason to do something fun when possible.

“I don’t know if it was the ‘first game of the season energy’ or simply the air that night,” Murphy said. “But my entire friend group could not stop laughing. It was definitely a memorable night.”