Fight On!

I AM a Trojan. I have both a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Southern California. While I was there I was part of The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe, otherwise known as The Spirit of Troy. This is my school, and those are my people. Earlier this week someone referred to USC as my ex-school and the statement has continued to bother me so much I felt compelled to write this post. See to me the prefix ex refers to someone or something that for whatever reason you no longer want any association with. I do not feel this way about 'SC at all.

I love USC. I love everything about USC, from the famed Tommy Trojan, to my dear Cromwell field, to the smell of the magnolia trees. Not to mention Traveler VII is just about the best mascot any university could ask for. How many times during a semester did I ride my bike alongside our beautiful brick buildings, and smile because I was happy to be there, smile because I felt I was part of some exclusive club others only wished they could belong to. And words can not describe how magnificent it is to hear Tribute to Troy and Fight On! play in the background while you are sitting in class.

Why is 'SC so dear to my heart you ask? To make it short, it was/is my first home away from home. It is within the gates of Cardinal Gardens that marked my first apartment. It is drinking SoCo with my section on Friday nights before football games. It is the four story bookstore that entertained me between classes. It is Tommy Trojan's majestic presence that always makes me feel at home.

 My time spent at USC is some of the happiest I have ever known. It was an experience that I would not trade for anything in the world. Though I may face adversity in the future, and though I may find myself in less than desirable situations, should the world end in a year, one thing is certain, for as long as I live, I am a Trojan.