| Teen Voice: Small towns offer a sense of 'oneness' | |
| March 17, 2011 Sierra Walker | |
I’ve been to many large cities in my life. Denver, Los Angeles, New York City… And each one is great. For awhile, that is. I would never want to actually live there.
Large cities have no living space. Everyone is packed in together so tightly that you would never get to have an actual house to call home like I have now. Space is money, so you get the minimum amount of room you need to survive.
With everyone packed so tightly, there’s always going to be crime. It would be unheard of for someone in a large city to leave their house or car unlocked. Here in Gering, you could leave either unlocked and not have to worry about it.
Some people prefer the anonymity of a large city, but I prefer to meet people on the street that I actually know. When you accomplish something in a small town, everyone hears about is there to congratulate you. When something bad happens, everyone is there to support you.
There’s a sense of family and oneness in a small town that you just can’t get anywhere else.
Public school can be a nightmare in big cities. With more people, there’s always going to be more conflict. The classes are bigger, which makes it harder for students to get a personalized education. Everything is more competitive. It’s harder to make the team or get a part in the musical. If they aren’t fantastic, children don’t get to enjoy the activities they love.
Some people can’t wait to get out of here and go to a big city, which is fine, but I suspect many will return to a small town like Gering. For me, growing up in a small town has been a great experience. It has shaped the person I have become, and for that, I will always be grateful.
This is a community where I can feel safe and loved. I hope my children will get the opportunity to grow up in a community like this.
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