What is nostalgia?
What gives you that feel-good moment—the one that grounds you, that makes you pause, that sends a rush of warmth through your chest as a memory flickers to life? Is it a scent, a song, a tradition?
For me, it’s the sound of a marching band playing the Jaws fight song. The moment those first few notes hit, something deep inside me stirs. No matter where I am, no matter who I’m with, I instantly feel the pulse of Friday night lights, the echo of drumline cadences, and the weight of my Dublin pride. Before I know it, I’m shouting Go Big Green!, feeling that surge of school spirit like I’m standing right back in the heart of it all.
Band, ten hut!—that command alone takes me back. I hear it, and I feel the pride run through my body. It’s time for the DHS Marching Band to take the field. That’s Irish pride.
As a Dublin High School cheerleader, marching band member, JROTC officer, and forever a Fighting Irish, that sense of fight, pride, and sheer grit is in my DNA. It’s more than school spirit. It’s legacy. It’s excellence. It’s knowing that no matter where life takes me, I am—and will always be—Dublin made.
Today is March 17th—Saint Patrick’s Day.
For most, it’s a day of parades, green beer, and lucky charms, but for me, it’s something deeper. It’s a reminder of who I am, what I embody, and the rich history that shaped me.
Did you know that Dublin High’s colors—kelly green and old gold—tell a story of unity? Before integration, Dublin High School (an all-white high school) and Oconee High School (an all-Black high school) were separate. But when they merged, they didn’t just bring students together—they brought identities together. To honor both legacies, they chose kelly green from Dublin and old gold from Oconee, ensuring that neither history would be erased.
That’s not just a school color scheme. That’s heritage. That’s proof that even in a time when unity was hard to achieve, it was still possible. And long after those first integrated classes walked the halls, that legacy still lives on.
The Power of Nostalgia
So today, I smile. I smile as I remember my fondest moments—Football Friday nights, running flags down the sideline, playing bass clarinet at halftime while still in my cheer uniform, losing my voice from chanting so loudly. I smile because I know that home isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling.
And feelings like that? They stay with you.
Nostalgia is more than just looking back. It’s carrying something forward. It’s the way a song, a scent, or even a phrase can transport you. It’s knowing that nothing is ever truly gone—not the moments, not the people, not the pride.
So, what sparks that moment for you?
What brings you back to a time when you felt invincible, when you felt at home? Is it a song? A smell? A tradition? Whatever it is, hold on to it—because those memories? They shape us.
And if you ever hear the sound of the Jaws fight song playing in the distance, just know—I’ll be somewhere shouting Go Big Green! right along with you.
Until Next Time,
Keep Living!
Love, Loren
© 2025 Loren Rhyne. All rights reserved. The content of this work is the original creation of Loren Rhyne and is protected under copyright law. No portion of this material may be copied, reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without explicit permission from the author.
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