Wilmington MA: Always Growing Always Changing

20 minutes outside Boston sits Wilmington MA, settled in 1665. Since then it has evolved into a modern day, suburban community complete with a mix of residential, commercial and industrial districts. It serves as a home to roughly 21,000 people and has been rank #9 on the list of 'Happiest Places in Massachusetts.' But the town is much more than some buildings and stats. Wilmington is a close knit community that constantly changing and growing. The people who live here have a
strong sense of pride to their town and a strong bond. Like my family, many families have lived in Wilmington over multiple generations. My grandfather moved here in 1966 and raised my dad and two aunts. My dad stayed in Wilmington to raise me. Both my dad and I have gone through the Wilmington Public School system as well as a few of my cousins on my mom's side of the family. Even though I can't wait to finish school and move to New York City, I know I'll miss my town and I will never be able to resist a visit home every once in a while.

You can witness the ever changing aspect of Wilmington in small things like a new store at the plaza, some new houses getting built down the street or a new kid at school. A bigger change that has been evident for the past few years is the new high school. In 2013 we got permission to construct a new high school. As a student who experienced both the new and old school, I can say it was greatly needed and appreciated. The old school was old when my dad attended high school and it went through many renovations during his high school career. During my freshman and sophomore years we didn't have a gym because it was torn down to make room for the new high school. The new school building was built alongside the old one. We got to watch the whole building being built right outside or classroom windows. On demolition day the whole school got a front row seat to the action. 

"The essence of Wilmington is captured
in the spirit of its people"
- Michael A. Caira

When it was finally time to move into the new and say good-bye to the old almost everyone took a little piece of the old building with them. The drama club pulled a seat from our theater to put into the new auditorium. Teachers took the number plaques from their room doors. I was fortunate enough to get a brick from the old building that now sits on my book shelf amid other Wilmington memorabilia.

Although we were all a little sad to leave the school we had started our high school experience in (and close the courtyard for the final time,) we couldn't wait to get into the new building. After spending two years in the heat-less, wifi-less, smelly old building with chipping paint and major water damage the shiny new school with freshly painted walls, heated and air-conditioned rooms and full wifi coverage was greatly appreciated. The tiles lacked cracks, the seats lacked gum stuck to the bottoms and the cafeteria had yet to contract that special smell that all school lunch rooms get. 

Indoor track above the gym

The new building also had a much more modern look that fit with the new student population that had moved into it. Brightly colored walls and large windows that looked into the hallway opened up the building and filled it with light. Larger classrooms and better equipment provided a more interesting and comfortable place to learn. The new building has a more open and cheery feel that the old building just couldn't have managed. Inspirational and cheery quotes covers the hallway walls and colorful club posters litter the white boards hung around the building. we enjoyed the first few days that we were given to explore the new building. Things like the new indoor track above the gym and the courtyard off the lunch room we much more impressive in person. New things that we had never had like 'break out room' were exciting to use. Having our own space to break off from class and go to and do independent work is greatly appreciated. 

Walking through the courtyard 

Another example of our towns constant change, the annual Fourth of July celebration. Because the new football field outside the school is a turf field (fake grass) instead of actual grass, we can no longer shoot off the annual 'Fun on the Fourth' Fourth of July fireworks that accompany the carnival. Every since I can remember I've gone to the carnival held outside the school and watched the fireworks from the common (or the actual field they shoot them off from, if your dad knows a guy.) The carnival was downsized and moved to the Shriner's Auditorium to accommodate construction but now that everything is finished and settled, the town wants it patriotic celebration back.

From a large metal frame, to walls of brick and tiled floors, we got to watch our future academic home grow with us.  As a soon to be senior in the new building, I am much different than the freshman I entered the old building as. As I've grown and changed, so has the school.