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Celebrating small kindnesses and basking in the little things.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Continuum

We live in a world where we are impacted by the history of the town, the city, the state we reside.  The fingerprint left on us is one that is subtle and often not realized until we are older.  As seniors preparing to embark on a journey that may or may not take you far from home, it is vital for you to think about the place you come from.  Watch this video by John Greene entitled Space Time Continuum: Thoughts on Dublin and think about the influences made on you.  How much of the history is part of you?  What have you learned from where you are from? 

I grew up in two places: my first place was a thirty-three acre farm and the second was Akron.  Both of these places have left their fingerprint.  Both have helped to mold me into the cynically lighthearted person that I am.  On the farm, I was exposed to the natural side of the world.  My family grew many vegetables in the garden, shot and ate groundhog, killed snakes, and climbed trees in the apple orchard.  In Akron, I learned about the others in the world, learned what profanity was, learned to be tougher, and that I was the only one who would ever stand up for me, so I better figure out how to do it.  Both of these places nurtured in me the duality that is me.  I am two cymbals held by two different hands and when they are clanged together, they make a pretty cool sound.  (Yes, I just described myself as cool:)) Now, I live in another place, suburbia. It is quiet, quaint, and home.  The perfect bend of my two other worlds--perhaps a watercolor where my colors have blended removing the rough edges, but maintaining the original art. 

80 comments:

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick my whole life. I have lived in the lower class side part of Brunswick and have moved to a nicer and bigger house in a somewhat safe development. Brunswick is a place not to fear yet it s necessary to be able to stand up for ones self. It is not a major city and it is not a major farming place, it is right in between. It has given me the experience of an all around nice place and has helped shaped me into the person i am today due to the good schooling and safe environment of my community.

Unknown said...

I was born in Cleveland, but until I was 10, I lived in Maple Heights. For the most part, my neighbors were very nice. But as time went on, the city became increasingly dangerous. I couldn't even ride a bike around my neighborhood. But when I moved to Brunswick in 2005 it was like night and day. The city was nice, everyone in my development was so nice and I finally lived in an area where I could ride my bike around by myself. Living in Maple Heights gave me the experience and knowledge to be cautious of the people surrounding me and to be and to be careful when in a less safe environment. Living in Brunswick for the last eight years has made me more of the person I am today because it showed me that not every where you go is unsafe and that there are good people in the world, even though they may not be right in your own neighborhood.

Sdornauer said...

Middleburg Heights is where I spent the first three years of my life so I don't remember it well, but all the same it allowed me great space to explore and collect golf balls (since there was a course next door). Brunswick has provided me with many great opportunities to learn and perform music and develop as a person. I am experienced in cold and hot weather also because of this location.

Megan Chiara said...

I was born and raised in Brunswick but I have only lived in the house I do today for about 15 years. My family lived in an appartment until my second birthday and on my birthday we moved into our house. Even though a lot of people might talk about how horrible Brunswick is and how much they just want to move away, I don't mind it. I think that Brunswick is a nice little suburb. I really wouldn't change my experiences living here for anything. Everything is so close to everyone who lives here too, nothing is really more then 5 minutes away. Brunswick has taught me that even in the worst of times, we all come together as a community to help.
-Megan Chiara 4/5

c hovan34 said...

Everyone you meet and the places that you have been have an influence on you. From where you are born, to the culture or practices you believe in, it is all connecting in this continuum. The history is all a part of us. We all have beliefs that our parents had, who had parents that had ancestor’s which all accumulates back to us. It is all just a board game where you move around a board, pass go, go to jail, and pass go again. I come from a family in which I am the middle child through my entire family and not just my household. I have three little cousins, my 12 year old brother and my dad with his three brothers my uncles; along with older cousins that I usually do not see until Christmas Eve. Anyways as I was growing up I got use to sticking up for myself since they usually picked on me but it doesn’t really bother me do to the fact that after 18 years you get use to it and just learn to ignore it. I also at a young age lost a lot of friends do to the fact that they either moved away or we grew apart, so I kind of learned how to be tough and be independent and don’t worry about anyone but myself which I believe has gotten me to being of who I am today.

Jen said...

I have lived in Brunswick my entire life, and though I can't say I know a lot about Brunswick history, I consider Brunswick to be a suburban city, and relatively small. I also know that Brunswick has taught me the importance of community. This city has always been my home and in living here my entire life I know a good portion of the community. Everyone is much more closer than they would be in a big city. This close community has showed me the importance of friendships and neighbors and strong relationships. These relationships have come in handy several times. Brunswick to me will always be my community and my home.

Jennifer Sens 7-8

George Patsko said...

Brunswick has been my home for my entire life.
I live in a decent part of the town, surrounded by similar families. I really don't know many of the people that live around me, so I don't get out too much. Not knowing many people, I've usually kept to myself, growing and learning an my own, guided by my own intellect. This mindset has followed me throughout the years, making me an independent (but sometimes a little reclusive) person. As the years have gone on, I've been meeting new people and exploring different parts of the town, which I have to say is a lot bigger than I thought it was, even from just a few years ago. It's all from ignorance. Things truly are bigger than they seem. I think that this will continue to guide me throughout a majority of my life: getting acquainted with something, then slowly expounding my knowledge on it. My only hope is that this process will speed up as time goes on.

Natalie Esson said...

I lived in Cleveland for the beginning of my life, but I have no recollection of it, so I consider Brunswick to be my only home. I think one thing that is interesting about Brunswick is that you don't see people forming groups or "cliques." At least in the high school. Obviously, there are people with their differences and people tend to befriend people that are like them, but there is not a single person in the high school that i am afraid to talk to because they are in a different group than me. I think that this has taught me that everyone is equal and that there is no reason to label people or act like I need to judge them based on their "clique." Another thing about Brunswick is that it isn't that diverse, which is kind of sad. Racially, and I think culturally, but I am not sure, you don't see large numbers of what one would consider a "minority." I think this leaves us missing out on a part of life, and we may not be used to this diversity. My two points seem to contradict each other, but because I live in Brunswick, they make sense to me.
Another thing is our music program. My entire high school career has revolved around band. We have a very strong music program with an amazing conductor, and I may not have had the same experience if I did not live in Brunswick.

Unknown said...

I believe that our setting does form the past that we recollect that determine who we are today. I've lived in many places: first in the east side of Cleveland, then in Serbia, and finally in Brunswick. Living in Cleveland gave me the perspective of seeing how it was to live in the city, observing how people interacted, living in the poorest part of town. It always intrigued me to see what made people think what they did. Knowing how life in Cleveland was, it inspired me to never want to live a lifestyle such as this.
Once I turned seven, I believe, I went to Serbia for the first time. This showed me that the world around me was bigger than I expected and that everyone had different societies, different governments, different problems, yet we were all humans connected by these problems. This showed me that people can't all live the same lives with the situations that they were born into. I learned this quickly because my father ended up buying my first accordion a month later, telling me that he had always said that I was born for it. I also learned that everyone knows each other if you live in a small enough village on the countryside.
In Brunswick, I learned that communities can be deeply intertwined within a single town, as well. The people are nice if they like you and the number of restaurants that you can go to surpasses anything that you can find in Serbia.
With this said, it's important to realize that the places you go and the people you meet matter a whole lot in creating your future and your decisions.

Unknown said...

I have lived in both Buffalo New York and Brunswick in my life, though both in the suburban areas, that are both relatively small. I do not know much about either places history though. Both placed a lot of importance on community, which taught me to get involved in where I live. Since both are relatively small and very safe (I lived in Orchard Park in Buffalo), I have had the opportunity to travel and see other places and get more involved in the community. Both places are fairly cold, Buffalo more so than Brunswick, so I have learned to deal with a lot of snow and cold. I have learned the advantages of kids growing up in suburbs versus other places too.

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick my entire life. However, when I was little, my parents took vacations often. As a result, I never really knew my neighbors until I went to school. However, the vacations, I feel, made me into a very adventurous person (i.e. I am the first in my family to play a brass instrument since we came to America a century ago.) But being in Brunswick has shaped me, too. Due to the unexpected weather, I feel I am very capable to adapt to change and unexpected events rather quickly. I have even been known in my BSA troop to be both the strangest and funniest in a group, as well as the most serious in the same group. Brunswick really helped shape me. Thanks, Brunswick!

A.MacIvor said...

I lived in Brook Park until I was five, then I moved to Brunswick. When I lived in Brook Park, I don't remember much of it except our back yard was too small for my brother and I to play baseball and that it was a three bedroom house, so when my sister was born, there was no room for her. We moved to a nicer house in Brunswick and a bigger house, with a very large back yard. It is less urban then Brook Park, because in Brook Park we could walk to Marcs and Dairy Queen. But Brunswick is also a much safer place to be living then Brook Park, with a nice development and nice neighbors like Madison Smith. Moving to Brunswick was a very good family decision.
A.MacIvor

Sammie Heilman said...

I lived in Grove city, Columbus, and here in Brunswick.I didn't learn much from living in Grove City. It consisted of a few childhood memories, and learning how to tie my shoes. Then I moved to Brunswick, still in a very nice neighborhood. What I've learned in these cities is how to appreciate what I have, I'm very lucky to live in a nice, safe place. Brunswick has really taught me how to come together in times of need. We are a supportive community and I cherish that. I'm proud to know we can pull through and help out people who truly need it.This has had a big impact on the way I've grown up and what I'll remember when I go away for college or move away.

Unknown said...

I lived in many places throughout my life growing up. I lived in West Virgina, Strongsville, Medina, and now I currently reside in Brunswick. I spent one year in West Virgina. I stayed in Strongsville for about Four years. I moved to Medina my fourth grade year until the end of seventh grade, and I moved to Brunswick at the end of junior high. Which was eighth grade. Living in all of these places, I have met so many different people. I think that has made me the more accepting person I am today, since I have been so many places and met a variety of many different people.
Brunswick is a small and safe community. But in my personal opionon I think it is beyond boring. I have met a lot of nice people in Brunswick, but nothing else in this city amuses me. I want to move out of Brunwick, Ohio after I graduate and start a new life. As well as meeting new people and experincing new things.

Chelsea Durr 4/5

Unknown said...

I lived in many places throughout my life growing up. I lived in West Virgina, Strongsville, Medina, and now I currently reside in Brunswick. I spent one year in West Virgina. I stayed in Strongsville for about Four years. I moved to Medina my fourth grade year until the end of seventh grade, and I moved to Brunswick at the end of junior high. Which was eighth grade. Living in all of these places, I have met so many different people. I think that has made me the more accepting person I am today, since I have been so many places and met a variety of many different people.
Brunswick is a small and safe community. But in my personal opionon I think it is beyond boring. I have met a lot of nice people in Brunswick, but nothing else in this city amuses me. I want to move out of Brunwick, Ohio after I graduate and start a new life. As well as meeting new people and experincing new things.

Chelsea Durr 4/5

Breanna Hartory said...

I was born in Parma until i was about 5 years old because it was getting pretty bad out there, my mom didn't want us around that. She wanted us to be able to have a community that would help, and give us chances. So we moved to Brunswick i started there about 3rd grade. We had a little house it was nice at first but then after it just became a bad neighborhood. After living there for about 8 or 9 years my mom decided we needed something more. So we moved to a much bigger house and a much safer environment. I have nothing but good memories of each home.
This community can come together to help one another an a instant. But personally i don't think they can provide me a lot of opportunities when i graduate. Yes i met a lot of amazing people and learned a lot of things but after all this going somewhere new wouldn't be bad.
i am who i am today because i was always taught to be yourself and to always stand your ground and be positive.

Breanna Hartory 4/5

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick all my life in one house. Although many people don't think safe places can leave their fingerprint, they can. I feel safe in Brunswick and safe in my development and neighborhood. I am always thankful I can go to bed and not worry about someone breaking into my house, but we do lock our doors. I can say, though, that many things have happened in Brunswick that I never thought would happen. There have been countless cases of vandalism in my neighborhood and my house has been the target of a few. When I was about 5, someone spray painted a swear word on our garage. This seemed odd because I never thought this would happen in my neighborhood. I have learned to watch out for myself. This isn't just because my mother, who grew up in Cleveland taught me to. The guy with the green Honda really was a wake-up call that although we live in a safe community, it is never a bad thing to watch out for yourself because creeps are everywhere, even in Brunswick. I don''t live my life in fear, but I am aware of my surroundings. I also learned that communities can come together and support one another when tragedy strikes. I have learned that communities can be strong and offer support. I am proud to say that I have seen it first hand. (but I am not happy for the reasons why)

EZaranec said...

I have lived in Brunswick ever since I was two years old, so it is the only place I truly remember as my home town. I believe that Brunswick has taught me multiple things. This city has taught me how to become part of a family, espcially after the events that transpired this summer. For afew months, I no longer lived in a city but a tight knit community. We always come together during times of tradgedy. On the flip side, Brunswick has taught me to be independant and how to take care of myself. In attending such a large highschool, no one was there to hold my hand and guide me through every step of the way, I had to figure things out for myself and learn to make my own way through high school. In the fall, I will be making the transition to the city of Kent, where my independance will play a vital role throughout my college career.
-EZaranec 7/8

Unknown said...

I was born in Cleveland and lived in Old Brooklyn until 2004, that’s when I moved to Brunswick. When I lived in Old Brooklyn I went to a Catholic school in Parma called St. Bridgets because Cleveland schools did not have a good reputation. I lived in the biggest house on my old street and it was red. We had a very large backyard and I was always playing outside. Now that area is not a good place to live. My old neighborhood is now mostly African Americans and Hispanics and the crime rate is very high. Living in Old Brooklyn taught me that now I need to be cautious. In 2004 I moved to Brunswick and I couldn’t be happier. Brunswick has such a close knit community. I live in a cul-de-sac so in the summer there is always a kickball game, baseball game, whatever you can imagine going on outside. Also I have a large backyard with woods and a pool so my house is the chill spot. Brunswick also has get schools so I have gotten an excellent education. As I grow older and start a family one day I’m sure I will move to another area and form new memories that will have an impact on my life.

K.MonkowskI 1*

Unknown said...

I was born in Cleveland and lived in Old Brooklyn until 2004, that’s when I moved to Brunswick. When I lived in Old Brooklyn I went to a Catholic school in Parma called St. Bridgets because Cleveland schools did not have a good reputation. I lived in the biggest house on my old street and it was red. We had a very large backyard and I was always playing outside. Now that area is not a good place to live. My old neighborhood is now mostly African Americans and Hispanics and the crime rate is very high. Living in Old Brooklyn taught me that now I need to be cautious. In 2004 I moved to Brunswick and I couldn’t be happier. Brunswick has such a close knit community. I live in a cul-de-sac so in the summer there is always a kickball game, baseball game, whatever you can imagine going on outside. Also I have a large backyard with woods and a pool so my house is the chill spot. Brunswick also has get schools so I have gotten an excellent education. As I grow older and start a family one day I’m sure I will move to another area and form new memories that will have an impact on my life.

K.MonkowskI 1*

Unknown said...

I grew up in Toronto and moved to Brunswick when I was 2. I don't know much about Brunswicks history or how it came to be. Alls I know is that when something goes wrong here everyone in this small little community comes together and helps the town through it. I had great times in Brunswick and bad times, but for me it's home and it's a great place to have a family. I learned that even when your school or anything goes wrong you can count on this town to come together and get through it together. Even though ill move out of this town and state Brunswick will always have a impact on my life and will be apart of my memories forever.

Anonymous said...

I have lived in Brunswick since June of last year and have enjoyed it much better than PA. The town and people are very welcoming and when something goes wrong they get through it together as a community and i completely respect that. I will be graduating in brunswick, so it will always have a little bit of meaning no matter where i move to next

Robert Hale said...

I was born in cleveland and lived there until i was 12 and i was not really allowed outside and if i was i could only go to the end of the street. Mainly for the reason that my neighborhood consisted of people trying to break into cars and also teens with no parents roaming the streets and pedofiles all around. I remember everything from being down there and where i lived is now torn down but i still visit cleveland such as the downtown mall and get hair cuts down their with my dad. From being there i learned alot and so have i from living in brunswick such as that no one cares about you if you suceed but they all care to watch when you fail.

Anonymous said...

I lived in North Ridgeville/Avon/Avon Lake my entire life, mainly cause my parents are divorced. My dad still lives in the house I grew up in. For seventeen years hes lived there and so many memories remain. When I moved to Brunswick with my mom we moved into the bigger nicer houses around 2006. As a child im lucky that my parents had enough money to keep me and my sister in safe parts of ohio. It isnt a major city, I would say that all the places I have visited have shaped me into who i am today due to the safeness of my environment.

Steven Zahorai (awesome) said...

I was born in Chester Pennsylvania and lived in New Castle Delaware until my freshman year of high school. I moved her to Brunswick in 2009 and have been here ever since. While i loved in New Castle I learned a few things about responsibility and respect because of the neighborhood I lived in. I didn't have very many friends, and the ones I did have weren't "best-friend" type of people. I had to deal with constant crime around me and always had to look over my shoulder before I did anything, but I guess that helped me to be more cautious and thoughtful for my actions. When I moved here I finally made "best-friends" and learned what it was like to be liked and learn from those around you. I love this city so much and it makes me happy knowing I am here and not back in Delaware.

Unknown said...

I have lived a very sheltered life in Brunswick in my nice big house in my nice little suburban development. I have known all my life that I have been sheltered by this environment and by my parents, but I love that about myself because it has kept me innocent and away from hate. I hope that someday I can give the same environment to my family.

mckennavalasek said...

I have lived in Hinckley for most of my life, and that's pretty much all I remember so my influence is mainly from here. When I was younger I knew my private school and my house, besides a bit of traveling, that was it. I was rarely was allowed past my driveway so I could definitely say I was a very sheltered kid growing up. It was a nice neighborhood and i always felt safe there. I knew I was lucky because of the traveling with my family and I appreciated the security even then. Though it was also one of those neighborhoods where you don't know your next door neighbors, let alone the people down the street. It taught me how important family is, since there weren't exactly any neighborhood kids to play with, and I think because of that I'm closer to my family even today. When I got older though the rest of the world just seemed to come out of nowhere. A new city and school (Brunswick) and a few years after that I discovered how big of a city I really had right near me. I've explored a lot of Brunswick and Cleveland since then and my mom helped me by telling me little bits of history from both (she used to live in Cleveland and camp in Brunswick a lot). The history isn't the kind in books but stuff she learned along the way and it made me feel more connected and at home in both cities. I learned that in every city there's the good and bad, its all what you make of it. It also realized sometimes you have to do a little exploring to find fun and new places to go, but its completely possible. Hinckley, Brunswick, and Cleveland will always feel like my home but I also know because of what I've learned here, that any new place that I live I can find a way to make it a home too.

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick my whole life. I feel like me living where I am has shaped my life but what has shaped it the most is the schools that I have went to. I went to Saint Joseph and John in Strongsville even though I have always lived in Brunswick. It is a cathloic school and after i left there and came to Brunswick it made a dramatic change in my life. I only knew about 4 other people who went to this school my freshmen year and it was a drastic change. I never knew that there was so much diversity in one place. I think coming here has changed my life for the worse because I gained more freedom and my grades started to go down. But living in Brunswick has introduced me to a lot of new people that I can call friends, and I'm glad that I live here.

Unknown said...

Unlike a lot of the kids my own age, I have lived all over the country. I was born in Frederick, Maryland, a quaint and small area, which is about an hour outside of Washington D.C. My parents had a home built there and that was the only home I knew for my first four years. (Now it is very built up and expensive). While living in MD, I was very young, and not in school yet, but my mom ran a preschool out of our home. When I was four, my family moved to Rowlett, Texas because of my dads job. It was a suburban area outside of Dallas. At the beginning we lived in an apartment, then a rental house, and then when our house was built we lived there. We lived in three houses in a course of a few months. I went to kindergarten and first grade at an elite private Christian school. Due to disagreements and scandals in the school, I was moved to public school for the second grade. However, going to a gifted and talented school for my first few years of education, I was ahead of the other students and my teacher did not want to help me. This caused my parents to remove me from the school I went to with my siblings and be homeschooled for the second half of second grade. I was homeschooled for the first-half of third grade and then we moved again. When I was eight we moved to Brunswick. We lived in a condo for the first year and then into the house I live in now when I was in the 4th grade. I went to Applewood, a public elementary school in Brunswick. For the fourth grade, my mom got a job as a first grade teacher at a private Christian school in Parma. Due to more disagreements, we left before Christmas. I went back to Applewood all through fifth grade and then went on to Edwards. After graduating Middle School, I went to CVCA, a Christian High School in Cuyahoga Falls. However, when there I got into the wrong crowd and fell into a lot of bad things. I decided to go back to Brunswick for my sophomore year. I have been at BHS ever since. Next fall I will be moving, once again, to Lynchburg, Virginia (10 hours away from home). Even though I have moved around so much and been uprooted from family and friends numerous times, it has taught me quite a bit. I have learned how to be more outgoing. When I was young, I was horribly shy. I have learned how to make friends easily and to not become overly attached to anything because i may lose them. It has also brought me closer with my family and caused us to be a tighter unit. I wouldn't trade these lessons and all the amazing people that I have met along the way for anything.

Unknown said...

I was born in Camden, New Jersey... I don't remember anything from there. I moved to Troy, Michigan which is one of the many suburbs of Detroit. Here I went to Kindergarten through the first half of 2nd grade. That neighborhood is indistinguishable from that period of my early childhood. Halfway through 2nd grade, I moved to the small, hill-billy rampant, tourist/retirement town of Prudenville, Michigan leaving behind a girl who was lovesick over me since first grade. This northern town brought out my woodsy side and I loved to wander through the forest behind our house. At the end of 4th grade we moved to Washington Township, Michigan; a different suburb of Detroit. I was childishly bitter over the move from a decently large house to a 1600ft2 apartment in the cheapest complex around but I got over it. I spent my middle school years here as well as two years of high school. Immediately previous to my sophomore year, due to issues beyond my control, I lost all of the few friends I had and was switched over to being homeschooled. That year was marked for me by walking out behind the carport alone where the nearby dumpsters and fellow tenants littered. I would look over the brier patch and farmland beyond to marvel at the always magnificent sky with a contentment I have envied ever since. I would bring my soccer cleats and juggle a ball for hours (after freshman year I was no longer on a team because of homeschooling but my skills dwindled away faster than my love for the sport). In the beginning of 2011 I grew to find city-pride in Detroit. I liked the aesthetics of vacant urban buildings and the collective personality of its citizens. This was cut short, however, by a final move to Brunswick. I looked forward to the prospect of living less than two-miles away from everything I would ever need in house with a real backyard and patio and basement and wood-paneled rooms and a neighborhood. Some minor disappointments during my homeschooled Junior year and my out-of-proportion response spoiled fully appreciating my new home. It was only just a few months ago of this year that I realized what a utopia I live in. Here I've had everything I have ever wanted and more. All these changes of atmospheres (Brunswick is the 10th school I've been in) have allowed me a array of experiences and shallow friendships. They have given me a sort of wanderlust desire for adventure and the unconventional.

Unknown said...

Throughout my life I have lived in Parma Heights, Rocky River and Brunswick. I would consider these places to have a lot in common, all being fairly safe, quiet suburban areas in Ohio. I would say the top thing I have learned from living in the suburbs would be a sense of community. All the places I lived have been really strong in that regard and I feel that in general in these places people seem to look out for one another. Since I plan to go to school next year in a large city, I expect a sort of culture shock moving from typical suburbia, but I am excited nonetheless. There are definitely a lot of good things about where I have lived though. I am thankful to have been fortunate enough to be able to play outside safely when I was young, and I'm thankful to live in an area where it is safe to be outside at night.
-Jimmy Rutkowski 2nd period

Unknown said...

I first lived in Maple Heights Ohio when I was a child from birth to around eleven years of age. I lived in a small neighborhood where open spaces, playgrounds, and a local swimming pool resided. This was a place were I was open and free to the world.

I later moved to Brunswick, Ohio when I was around eleven. Here was where I had more space to roam and play and get along with other neighbors. I would not say I learned a lot more but Brunswick is a nice place to live.

Unknown said...

I technically was not born in Brunswick (let's hear it for Parma hospitals!), but I have lived here my whole life. The biggest and most obvious influence in my life has been my parents, without whom I may be some heartless "man-child". They taught me right and wrong and made me the person I am today. I can't thank them enough. Another influence on me has been my friends. I have a very diverse group of friends, from those in the popular crowd, to my nerdier friends who I discuss anime with, and my friends that I play music with. I've learned so many things from each of these different groups of people, like socializing skills from the popular guys, to a great sense of humor with my nerdier friends, to changes in musical taste and skill (not to mention two of the greatest friends I will ever have) from my metal guys. I've learned that the people that you hang out with may change you, but you're the one who has to let the change happen. You may do something with one group of friends that you may never have done with another, but you're the one making the choice to do it. And I think us making that choice is what makes us who we are.

Unknown said...

I was originally born in cleveland and lived there for about 9 years until we moved to brunswick. living in cleveland taught me that people arn't always what they seem. i was almost kidnapped walking down my street when my mom came outside and drove the kidnapper away. the farthest i was allowed to go out of my house was within sight of my mom because the neighborhood was so bad with people breaking into houses and cars. we moved to brunswick mainly because of the school system being so bad. moving to brunswick made me realize that not everyone is out to get you and there are some good people in the world.

michael sarama said...

I was born in cleveland and lived there for the first 6 years of my life. I was not allowed to go more than two house away from where we lived because my mom always worried that something bad would happen to me or my sister and she could not live with herself if something did happen. After my mom was divorced she got remarried a little bit after and we moved to brunswick. Brunswick was like a sanctuary compared to where we used to live. It taught me that the world is not a completely scary place and that personalities of people change from area to area.

Unknown said...

I was born in Cleveland, like most people here in brunswick. But unlike most people I got to live in a foreign country. I only lived in cleveland for 6 years until I moved to Jordan. I lived there for about 9 years and learned alot. Things are diffrent there. Families are closer, and people were happier. However, it was not the safest place to be. I never could make many friends since I moved from school to school. I went to eight different schools there because none of them were safer schools. Yet my neighborhood friends stayed the same. People there are really nice. They appreciate the smallest things and enjoy. And thats how i grew up.

Jeff Neuhaus said...

Being born and raised in Brunswick has shown me life only from the point of view of a majority middle class society. There isn't much diversity or crime or rural spaces. I've watched it develop and grow throughout my life as people were attracted to the city for what it is, a middle class suburb. I noticed that not everywhere exists such a nice world the first time I went into downtown Cleveland, just a half hour north yet full of diversity and most significantly different, poverty. Seeing homeless men so close to our cozy little suburb changed my perspective on things and made me want to experience more of the world because up until then I felt like I was ignorant to other lifestyles.

Unknown said...

I was born in Ohio, but in two separate towns you could say, at first, I grew up in an old fashioned neighborhood, there were older buildings, less modern aspects of society with brick roads and sidewalks, classic looking streetlights and clocks, railroad tracks, and a giant old locomotive that sits on decommissioned rails as well. I grew up on a setting that was centered around what was generically referred to as the "good ol days". Then when we moved to Brunswick, I found this place alien like and interesting, fun and adventurous, there was much to explore, and everything was so different from the red bricked sidewalks and decorative streetlights, it was as if the world itself had shifted into a setting of basic efficiency. In addition, I was raised on such basic values and understanding of the world around me, I was essentially out of the loop in terms of cultural or celebrity understanding. I didn't know anything about profanity, the lewd jocks I was mocked with in elementary school, who was what celebrity, etc. I just was me, and held a pure and innocent understanding of life for quite a few years. Of course, this diminished as age progressed, but it gave me a unique perspective on the world around me. You could say it's shaped my mind into something so.... odd, that even I'm still trying to understand it.

Unknown said...

I have lived in many different places. I have lived in South Carolina, New York, New York City, P.A., and of course Brunswick. However I do believe that I have been most impacted by living in South Carolina and New York City. In South Carolina everything was laid back and peaceful and everyone was respected. Unless you had a certain color skin, yes sadly there are still many racist people in the world. And South Carolina had many; this however was a good thing for me. It taught me how wrong it was to discriminate by color. In New York City I learned that people aren't always what they see. I am aware it sounds corny but it holds true. People aren't given many chances so when you mess up your first chance your most likely done for good.

michael taylor said...

I also grew up in 2 main places cleveland and brunswick. Cleveland tought me to be tough and stand up for yourself and people can be mean and heartless. Brunswick tought me their are beter people out their if you look and the world can be better looking and a lot more fun.

Nicole Verdile said...

I was born in Brook Park, Ohio, and I lived there till I was about 3. The only things I remember from living there was that I wasn't allowed to play in my front yard because cars would always be driving by really fast. Also, I was never allowed outside by myself because my neighborhood did not have the best people. I moved to Brunswick when I was 3, and have been living here ever since. Living in Brunswick has taught me that there are good people in the world still. Also, it has taught me that you should never judge someone based on how they look.

Unknown said...

Brunswick is a great city. There are a lot of good people, businesses, and activities going on in the city. However, Brunswick did not have the biggest influence on me. It was the people living in the city. I was born in Fairview and moved to Brunswick when I was 2. We built a house in a new development. On our street, there were many new families moving in. We became close to many of the families and one family in particular. This family was like my second family. There were two boys who were close to my age. I did everything with them. I learned many things from that family. For grade school, I attended St. Ambrose which instilled good morals in me and taught me to value hard work. Having these grade school experiences have enabled me to excel in High School. Brunswick High school has been a great experience. Some of the teachers have had a huge impact of me. They have taught me many important lessons that will stick with me. I believe because of the people in the Brunswick community, I will be able to achieve great things down in Columbus this fall, where I will be attending The Ohio State University for college. I will never forget the lessons that my close family and friends in Brunswick have taught me, and I will always cherish the bond I have with these people. Because of Brunswick, I met these people and had such good experiences.

Unknown said...

I was born in Parma and lived there for my first 2 years of my life. I do not remember much if it and it really had no impact on my life. Brunswick is my home and I couldn't picture living anywhere else. Brunswick is a nice suburban city that's not too big or small. The city has taught me the importance of a community. We are all so close and involved. Brunswick has definitely impacted my life more then I can imagine.

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick for the majority of my life. I moved around as an infant but dont remember much other then what im told. Brunswick is a great suburban community that has made me who i am today. Everyone comes together when necessary and are all strong. Brunswick has a huge impact on my life one of the biggest.

Unknown said...

All 18 years of my life I have been in Brunswick, Ohio. This city has effected my life by making me real not afraid of living. Not much happens here ever so it is really easy to keep to yourself and be away from any immediate danger. It is nice but I feel I don't know of much other life styles from a suburban city like Brunswick. I do believe however living in a nice, uneventful place has made me a nicer person. I have learned to trust in people quite easily.

Cassie Sherman said...

I lived in Brunswick my whole life. Growing up I think what I've learned the most was how fast things can change. I remember as a little kid think Brunswick had nothing and we always traveled to got to the store or someplace. I liked that it was so simple and safe here. As I've grown I've seen how Brunswick has developed and has become more as a suburb that a farmish place. Growing up in Brunswick has taught me that as things get older they change even of you don't like it.

Cassie Sherman said...

I lived in Brunswick my whole life. Growing up I think what I've learned the most was how fast things can change. I remember as a little kid think Brunswick had nothing and we always traveled to got to the store or someplace. I liked that it was so simple and safe here. As I've grown I've seen how Brunswick has developed and has become more as a suburb that a farmish place. Growing up in Brunswick has taught me that as things get older they change even of you don't like it.

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick my whole life in the same house that I still live in today. Growing up in Brunswick has showed me what a close community I live in and has shaped me into the person I am today by having so many opportunities for me to express who I am as a person. Brunswick is an overall safe city to live in so I've never really feared anything as I've lived here. I've loved living in Brunswick but as I get ready to leave and explore what else is out in the world besides the city I've ever known, I'm excited to see what life has in store for me.

Alex Muir said...

I've lived my entire life in Brunswick Ohio, and wouldn't have it any other way. One of the biggest experiences that has impacted me as a person was my parent's decision to send me to a catholic school. I am strongly rooted in my faith today, and this would likely not be the case if it were not for St. Ambrose. Next, and just as pivotal, I switched over to public schools. If Saint Ambrose taught me my faith, then public school taught me how to work with others. It shattered my small bubble of friends that had accompanied me 1-8th grade, and opened my eyes to a completely different world. Also, my neighborhood lies near Plum creek. I would walk down to the river and spend hours exploring further down (or up) stream. Because of this, I grew into a person who loves nature. If I had lived in a city and had not been afforded these exploring opportunities, My connection with nature would not be as strong as it is today. I love the woods, and think that it is one of the most peaceful places on the planet. I owe this discovery to the place I live, and I would not be the same if I had grown up anywhere else.

Steven D. said...

I lived in Boston Heights for the first three years of my life, but don't remember it very well so it hasn't influenced me much. Brunswick is pretty sheltered from some of the more horrifying and messed up aspects of society. Yes, there are the good and bad parts of town, but every life has its ups and it's downs to it. My family has always been full of sarcastic cynics, so I don't think my environment prevented me from becoming jaded, but it has always taught me that things will get better. The town is a nice enough place that if you're down in the dumps, you feel obligated to rise up to the moral standard of the rest of the town most of the time. Which inversly means, if it's a bad day in Brunswick and most of what I see is roadkill, potholes, and nihilism, I probably won't be in the best of spirits.

Unknown said...

I grew up in Brunswick my whole life. MY parents are from Michigan so we would take trips there all the time. I grew up with three older brothers. GRowing up with them I had to learn to stand up for myslef. Learn to let no one walk all over me. the strength I got from growing up like that, helped turn me into the girl I am today.

Mike Combs said...

I've lived in Brunswick my whole life. I think of Brunswick as a community for families, so a suburb. My street I would consider very close with all my neighbors the families get together almost every week and do stuff. not living in a development is actually pretty nice I have alot of land to play and ride around. This city has helped shape me to be who I am showed me what type of town I'd like to live in, in the future. Brunswick will always be a home to me even when I'm gone.

cmpmahoney said...

I was too young to remember living in Garfield Heights, but talking with others about it, it seems like Brunswick is the "place to be." I am rather fortunate to be living in this city; our home is a very safe city with good people. Personally, I feel as if everyone in Brunswick has a sense of "mutual respect" for one another, and that is one aspect that creates an atmosphere that makes cities like these good places to live. The schools are also a proud representation of the education one would expect for their child, and as much as the subjects taught may seem pointless at times, most of it is used at some point in our day-to-day lives. Except calculus. I hate calculus so much.

Jacob Dybiec said...

I've always lived in the Greater Cleveland area. However, for the first 9 years of my life, I resided specifically in Parma, a city I find to have a hard-working culture. This has certainly had an impact on me as a person; I learned the virtue of hardwork by watching my parents and neighbors work hard. Brunswick has sort of the same feeling as Parma (if not a bit more rural. Brunswick, though, has shaped me as a person. That is to say, I am who I am because of all the things I've experienced here in Brunswick.

Unknown said...

I've lived in Brunswick all my life. In some ways, I'm thankful for that because it's a very stable city. In other ways, because of this stableness, Brunswick is also kind of boring. It makes me think about the world outside of my home, and makes me want to see that world.

Vsantana said...

I was born in Cleveland. I lived there till I was about 2. Then moved to medina till I was 4. From there I moved to my house now in Brunswick hills. I still live here and I wouldn't want it any other way. In this house, this area, here I have learned alot. I grew up with great great people around me. I have made bad choice that shaped my life there and good ones that lead me to the man I am today. I don't ever think about leaving because this is where my home is and I love it here. I know one day I will be forced to leave but until then I will enjoy my time here.

Unknown said...

I have lived in brunswick my whole life and have lives in the same house my whole life. When I was younger my parents would go look at house just "for fun" I don't understand that but anyways, when ever we would go to an open house or watch that show where they show houses for sale (I think I was only on sunday mornings) I would get scarred. Scarred of change and entering into something new and of leaving brunswick. Even with all the looking we still stayed at the same house. I am one of those people that say i hate brinswick and this town is stupid but i guess i really do like it here. It has made me into the woman i am today.

nicole said...

I have lived in or near Brunswick my entire life. I grew up in a neighborhood where kids played outside until it was dark every day. My brother and I were happy, but my parents had been wanting to move since before I was born. When I was 9 we moved to Hinckley, where I still live today. By moving I met one of my best friends, who lives 3 houses down. Since neither of my parents ever attended public school, I was in private schools from K-8. I think this shaped me as a person the most. With a small class size, every knew each other too well and the gossip and bullying often went to the extreme. Choosing to go to Brunswick High School was one of my best decisions, even if I chose it based on the volume of people. I'm glad I had the opportunity to go, as I've met some of my best friends at the high school.
-Nicole Rouge 7-8

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

I have lived in the same house in Brunswick my entire life. I enjoy living in Brunswick and hope to eventually raise my own family here. I feel that Brunswick is a very safe town with a great community and a great school system. Brunswick is not yet a big city, but also isn't a rural farm town. I think Brunswick is a great balance of both. I think this balance has helped to make me who I am today. Living in a middle class town has helped instill the values I have today.

Unknown said...

I was born in Fairview Park and lived with my whole family for about two years there. When I was two my parents got divorced and I moved with my mom to Parma, and my dad lived with his mother in Fairview Park still. I got to go between the two houses and experience different communities. I loved Parma and all of the friends I made there; Fairview Park was just an every other weekend home, so I didn't get too familiar with it, but when my dad built his own house, I was out there a little more. I moved to Brunswick in 2005 when Parma started to go down the drain. I went to live with her and my brother went to live with my dad in Fairview Park. I didn't like Brunswick at first, it didn't feel like home to me and I didn't want to stay living here. Once high school came around and I met new people, I started to enjoy it a little more. Brunswick is an overall good community and a strong one too. Brunswick has made me aware of the settings of other communities and how they live their lives. Though, I cannot wait to explore a whole new place next year when college comes around!

Jordan Frederick said...

I have lived in the same house in the same city (Brunswick) my whole life. I'm comfortable here. My house is a decent size with neighbors who are very kind. The city isn't that big but it's not too small. Due to the community being so nice and the size of it, it has made me who I am today in various reasons. I like that I don't know everyone, but know enough to make me happy and the schools here are good as well. Without my Brunswick, I wouldn't have the friends I have and the knowledge I have today that made me exactly who I am.

Unknown said...

I have always lived in Brunswick,in the same house. I live on a busy road because of this I never became close to any of the other families around here.Due to this I became very close to my family. Some find it strange, that I should be such good friends with my own family, but they were all I had growing up. Another place that I spent a lot of time at growing us and has had an impact on me is Wisconsin. Most of my family are farmers outside of Madison, Wisconsin. It is on these farms that some of my happiest memories occur. I think it is because of my positive experiences in these rural areas that helped to shape my dream of living somewhere similar. The farms also taught me to love animals and plants and be very conscientious my surroundings.

chrissy difilippo said...

I was raised in Parma. I stayed their until I was almost 5 years old. I moved more then once while I lived in Psrma. When my mother finally married Our family moved to Brunswick. Brunswick has allowed me to make some good friends that I will always remember and then provided me the chance to have a nicer environment.

Sonya S said...

I lived in Medina for till i was two then I had to move into Brunswick. Brunswick has been my home since i was two till today. I made plenty of friends since I've lived here and if i had of stayed in Medina who knows what would of happened. I've had to go to two different elementary schools and that was hard but once again made new friends and when I went to middle school I saw the friends i left behind in elementary which was good. There are people who call our city brunstucky and I don't know why because i have never seen any farm land here once. We are always building and tearing down tree's which I don't think is good but it happens. Brunswick is a safe city to live in for any family.

Ryan O'Dell said...

I was born and raised a Brunswickian. I've lived here my whole life in two different houses, one of which I was too young to remember. I personally have loved living in Brunswick despite all of the terrible things people may say about wanting to move away. Living in this growing suburb has taught me a few things. One thing I have learned from growing up in such a nice place is that I'm very lucky. I'm lucky that I'm fortunate enough to have grown up in such a good place. Not everyone has the opportunities available to them that I have had. Growing up I played baseball, football, basketball and now through high school rugby. I have learned alot from these sports and I know kids in less fortunate cities don't have these opportunities. Brunswick is safe enough that before I had my license I walked everywhere and wasn't afraid at all. That's something people take for granted. Of course my environment alone wasn't the only influence in sculpting my life, but I am positive Brunswick has bettered me as an individual.

Unknown said...

I have lived in Brunswick for 10 years now. I used to live in Parma, living in Parma taught me how to be cautious. We moved to Brunswick to get a bigger house. Brunswick is not a big city and its not all farm land so I think we have some of both.

AHetzel.bhs said...

I cannot begin to count the number of things that have influenced my life in so many ways. From people, to places, to events – there are just too many! However, I can say that if it weren’t for these events and such, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I, just like many others in my class, have lived in Brunswick for almost my entire life, but I have discovered that there is more to me than just a Cleveland suburb. I am a third generation German-American, and I am very in tune with my heritage. Cleveland has a very large German community, and these people are some of the finest you can meet. Every one of them has a story, and every one of them brings their own memories. After almost eighteen years of being surrounded by these stories, I am proud to say that I have probably learned more about my heritage than the average person would in a lifetime. Without this heritage I couldn’t even imagine the life I’d be living today, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be better than this one.

Unknown said...

Both places I have lived influenced me in different ways. I was born in Parma, and lived there until first grade when I moved to Brunswick. While in Parma I learned a lot about growing up. All of my friends and neighbors were older. But what really influenced me in Parma was family. In our 4 bedroom house lived my parents and I, my brother, grandma, and my 3 aunts. It was a tight squeeze, but we made it work. That's one thing I miss about my Parma house, my family helped raise me and made big impacts on my life. But now I live in Brunswick, this is my home since 1st grade, and where I grew up and made all my closet friends, I wouldn't change anything about it.

Anonymous said...

I was born in Detroit, MI and lived there until I was about 5. Even though my family had moved to Ohio, we still drove to Michigan every weekend to help my Nana with her home and take care of her. We had family in Michigan that could easily stop by to check up on her, but they wouldn't so a lot of my childhood was spent on these trips. Now driving at night, the orange glow of highway lights and headlights take me back to my childhood when driving on the highway. I missed out on a lot when I was younger due to this, but my nana means the World to me. Eventually we decided we would have her move in with us. My mother, father, sister, and I all have lived here for the past decade or so with my Nana although she had very recently passed. I enjoy living in Brunswick and I am very excited to start living in Cleveland next year when I move away to CSU, but I will always be more proud to call myself a Lions fan and a Tigers fan. I absolutely love Michigan, not something you hear from many people residing in Northeast Ohio. What my location has taught me was that I am complex, I can accommodate to any situations... and I have done so. I know that no matter the distance, I can be there for others. Traveling from cities has shaped me into the well- rounded person I am today.

-Erica Jacks

Brittany m said...

I have lived in Brunswick for all of my life but I've lived in two houses her. I moved when I was six to a new house but in reality it was pretty much just down a few roads. For both places I lived they were always very safe and still are today. Although at the house I live today someone broke into me and my dads car this year but other then that it is very nice. I live in a nice house and I very thankful for it. At my first house we have never nice neighbors that were always fun to be with. At the house I live at now it is a coldasac and im the neighbors in it are very nice and were great people to grow up with.

Unknown said...

I have lived in multiple places, the first place I lived was Pennsylvania. I was young and I don't remember it at all. The next place I lived was California until I was 4 years old I loved that place, I was around my family all the time and I learned what it was like being able to go to my aunt,uncles and my grandparents houses. Then we moved to Ohio were I lived for the 14 years and it has been a great place to grow up, my neighborhood is safe. My family really don't talk to any neighbors and living here I don't get to see my family,which is the downside.

Unknown said...

Well the first place I'd lived in was Grand Prairie, Texas, though since it was only for the first three months of my life, I don't remember it at all. Even so, I believe it has shaped me. I grew up knowing that I was from a different place, and that "everything is bigger in Texas." Keeping that in mind, and with my mother always telling me to be almost secretly competitive with everyone and always striving to be better than everyone (without being conceited, since I have a strong distaste for that kind of ego). Then I remember living in an apartment in Parma for a few years. The two things I remember from that would be a nightmare I had when everyone in the apartment were skeletons and then a day when I came home with a bunch of toys from Toys R Us. So I don't know how that's shaped me in who I've become today, but it was my first home. Then my family bought a house. I remember running around it being so excited. Fast forward to now, I'd say that living here has been a two-part adventure. The first part would be when I didn't know anything about Brunswick from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Only that I had an address that was 20 minutes away from the school I'd attended. Then I got to high school and my horizons broadened. These past four years have allowed me to experience more than I'd ever imagined as well as things I'd never wish to imagine, but even so, it has all added to making me who I am. The strangely, strong community here has been heartwarming and supportive. With all of these places I've come from I think I've become a well-rounded person having experienced many kinds of people and pressures.

Unknown said...

Well the first place I'd lived in was Grand Prairie, Texas, though since it was only for the first three months of my life, I don't remember it at all. Even so, I believe it has shaped me. I grew up knowing that I was from a different place, and that "everything is bigger in Texas." Keeping that in mind, and with my mother always telling me to be almost secretly competitive with everyone and always striving to be better than everyone (without being conceited, since I have a strong distaste for that kind of ego). Then I remember living in an apartment in Parma for a few years. The two things I remember from that would be a nightmare I had when everyone in the apartment were skeletons and then a day when I came home with a bunch of toys from Toys R Us. So I don't know how that's shaped me in who I've become today, but it was my first home. Then my family bought a house. I remember running around it being so excited. Fast forward to now, I'd say that living here has been a two-part adventure. The first part would be when I didn't know anything about Brunswick from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Only that I had an address that was 20 minutes away from the school I'd attended. Then I got to high school and my horizons broadened. These past four years have allowed me to experience more than I'd ever imagined as well as things I'd never wish to imagine, but even so, it has all added to making me who I am. The strangely, strong community here has been heartwarming and supportive. With all of these places I've come from I think I've become a well-rounded person having experienced many kinds of people and pressures.

TyTalley said...

Well I was born in middleberg heights and then grew up in Cleveland and Brunswick but mostly Brunswick and although Brunswick hasn't taught me much at all the one thing it has taught me is that even though we all might seem to hate each other at times, sometimes more than others, but when it comes down to it were all here for each other in the end as you see in the accident we had with Erin and Skylar we as a community came together to support them even the some of us that didn't like them, the people that didn't know them, or the people that loved them unconditionally we all came together just like with what happened with the tragedy that happened in June with Lexi, Kevin, Jeff,Blake, and Julia we all came together as a whole and as one and that is probably one of the best things I can ever take away from this place is that in the end we are all there for one and other and that we are all a family no matter what anyone says.

Tom Miller said...

I was born in Cleveland ohio and lived there until I was about four. I then moved to North Olmsted and lived there until I was 10. Lastly I moved to my current home in Brunswick. Brunswick is where id say has had the biggest impact on my life. Brunswick is a very close knit community I feel. Sure everyone has there ups and downs but when it comes down to it I feel we've really got eachothers backs and my friends will be life long.

Unknown said...

I grew up in Seminole, Fl and it is a small, upper class beach town less than a mile from the actual beach. From where I lived, I could walk and bike to the beach in 10 min when I was younger, and when I was able to drive it was easy to jump in my Jeep and hit the beach any time of the year. Floridians were different than the people in Ohio and their lifestyles were much faster paced yet relaxed. I grew up learning to deal with all types of people since a lot of tourists visited the area and most of the shops and stores were tourist based. I also learned to be independent and mature because people in general were less friendly in florida and if you wanted something done most likely you would have to do it for yourself. Ohio is more family oriented and had small town charm which I like, but Florida is the place that shaped who I am now.

Jake Mehalik said...

I have spent my whole life living in brunswick. For the first 15 year of my life I resided in a middle class suburban neighborhood. I grew up around a lot of my friends and family which made my experience a lot better. This has made me want to provide that for my children. It has allowed me to form better relationships amongst them. Recently I moved to a larger home which was different, but I love it. These areas define who I am and what I've become.

Anonymous said...

A lot of my history resides in my home, middle class Brunswick Ohio, but the greatest historical influence outside my home is the culture that we adventure through with an open mind and curious hearts. Springing from my grandfather’s history with the Air force, my dad, uncle, and my grandpa all fly airplanes, which led to my dad working for Continental Airlines when I was born. Because of his job we were able to travel a lot for free, mostly with my grandparents. The generosity and love that my grandparents had for me and my brother, along with the benefits of my dads job led to many opportunities that I didn’t understand or appreciate as a kid. The historical roots of flight and the thrill of experiencing different cultures has helped me to understand differences and recognize beauty while also discovering true hatred, destruction and poverty. As the months turn into weeks and the weeks turn into days I find myself nearing college, which is a whole new flight that forces me to create wings of my own. A different culture, with new faces, and constant challenges with morality and truth is in fact my destination. I’m merely thankful for the safe take off and ready for a new brace for impact.