If you’ve ever seen me walking in the hallways, you’ve probably noticed something consistent about me: I’m always wearing gear from one team, the Northwestern Wildcats. Northwestern athletics have become a part of my identity. They dominate the clothes I wear, the mood I’m in. My love for the school has become what I’m known for in each and every one of my classes. 

But where did this obsession come from? Neither of my parents got their undergraduate degrees from NU, and no one in my family had any type of fandom towards the Wildcats. However, my mother wasn’t intent on always watching Indiana athletics, and the Illini frustrated my father so much that he couldn’t even tune in. That left the Wildcats, and their incredibly cheap tickets to high level Big Ten sporting events was too enticing to pass up, so I went to Northwestern games. I quickly developed a strong affection for the Wildcats, and within just a few games, I didn’t want to miss a thing. 

Nearly 15 years later, my passion has never waivered. I’ve remained loyal through multiple 13-game losing streaks in Big Ten basketball play, and embarrassing 1-11 football seasons. However, all the pain that I’ve suffered through as a Northwestern fan comes with its moments of pure elation. The full-court pass against Michigan, the court storming of Purdue and 2 Big Ten west championships in three years were all some of the happiest moments in my life. 

In January of 2020, I found a new way to express my excessive love of Northwestern. I started an Instagram fanpage that, over the course of three years, has grown to nearly 1,000 followers. It’s not just a place to post about Northwestern sports but also a place to vent and express my unbridled joy or fiery anger towards the Wildcats. The account has also become a fantastic place to hate on the University of Io_a, an activity everyone should partake in.

However, as my time in high school comes to an end, I begin to prepare for the next phase of my life, which will not be at Northwestern. While the inevitable change to University of Washington merch will be a difficult one, I still expect to remain loyal to the school I love. Memories made in Welsh Ryan Arena and at Ryan Field will last a lifetime, and take my word, my famous rotation of seven different Northwestern sweatshirts will not go to waste. 

Forever and always, GO U NORTHWESTERN.