Friendship Knows No Distance

by Briana Brown and Hayley George

At MRGS, students from ten schools come together to learn and grow. These students develop strong friendships that were made possible by attending MRGS. Whether it be through group projects or field trips, there are many opportunities for meeting new people and making friends. These friendships can go on to last a lifetime.

We interviewed two junior friends and senior friends. These students met at MRGS and bonded throughout their time here. They had nothing but positive things to say about the friends they gained at MRGS.

We asked Junior friends Josh Uribe (Spotswood High School) and A.D. Carter (Strasburg High School): “How did you guys become friends?”

A.D. and Josh said they were drawn to each other's similar heights and their kind, energetic personalities. 

“I like that he’s always lighting up the mood. Yeah, he’s making a positive impact on my life.”- Josh Uribe

“He’s bringing that energy, the good energy, positive vibes.” - A.D. Carter

We asked Junior friends Virginia Blank (Mountain View High School) and Kaylee Kite (Page County High School): “What are your favorite things about each other?” 

“I like how Virginia is so easy to get along with, and how funny and kind she is.” - Kaylee Kite. 

“I like how funny Kaylee is.” - Virginia Blank.

We asked senior friends Pria Dua (Spotswood High School) and Eden Shelhamer (Central High School): “Is your friendship affected because you are from different schools? If so, how?”

“It’s definitely different because we only see each other for half the day, every day. If we want to hang out we have to put in a lot more effort because we live 45 minutes away. But it’s also fun because we get to text and call a lot.” - Eden Shelhamer

“We do live separate lives outside of our time together at Gov School, or the time that we spend hanging out. I think that’s what makes our friendship more valuable to both of us. It makes the time that we have together more meaningful and important.” - Pria Dua

Not only have we become friends because of Gov School, but we have formed our own friend group as well. It consists of Briana Brown (Strasburg High School), Hannah Chesson (Central High School), Hayley George (Central High School), Audrey Kepler (Strasburg High School), Rowan Meadows (East Rock High School), Molly Walsh (Central High School), and Lucy Whitely (East Rock High School)

While some of us knew each other before MRGS, many of us were not very close. However, we started talking during a field trip and have become inseparable ever since. We all have different personalities, but we manage to complement each other. We are constantly working together in school and talking outside of class. If it had not been for MRGS, we likely would have never met or become friends. We are so lucky to not only have the opportunity to attend MRGS but also meet some incredible people along the way!

Hannah explained that her favorite things about our friend group are “Lucy’s sarcasm, Molly's adorable personality, Rowan’s edginess, Bri’s goofiness, Hayley’s wittiness, and Audrey’s realness.”