Rocky Mount is one of those places that you have to repeat twice when people ask “Where are you from?” Blank looks remain as you repeat the town’s name and name other slightly larger cities around the area. This is a common experience for anyone who lives in a small town. Although most people detest the obscureness of their location, I could never dislike a place that I regard as my guardian, teacher, and companion. Just as a scholar venerates and dotes on her educator, I adore and cherish Rocky Mount. The little town, with its Southern hospitality and country setting, has taught me courteousness, given me a deeper perspective of nature, and prepared me for the unpredictability of the future.

Growing up, I was used to being the only Asian in a predominately white society. Yet, my Asian ethnicity was never an issue. I indisputably identified myself as an American and, unintentionally, a Southerner. Calling people “y’all” and saying “I believe” instead of “I think” quickly became a part of my English. The Southern accent became a part of me, and I still get the warm feeling when anyone calls me “sweetie.” When I was little, I thought every place had the same feeling of homeliness and coziness. After visiting more areas, I realized Rocky Mount has a rare quality, cordiality. Being raised in Rocky Mount, I picked this trait up by observing my surroundings. Thus, I have always been used to calling people “sir” or ”ma’am” and exchanging friendly greetings with everyone I see.

People may condemn small towns for their dawdling nature, but I view a fast pace as a bad thing if people are too busy to greet others with a smile or to hold the door for others. Before long, I wanted to do more than to be a minor part in the town’s harmony. Because of Rocky Mount’s sense of community, my fervor to volunteer began.

While the locals gave Rocky Mount its amiability, the location gave Rocky Mount its exquisiteness. Altruistically, Rocky Mount introduces me to its seasons and, as a result, gives me a love of nature. Even though I was never a fan of cold weather, the winter scenery has always left me speechless. The breathless image will always be in my mind of waking up at the crack of dawn to see layers of pure, white snow covering everything in sight. Then there was spring, a season I look forward to every year to be able to walk with the cool breeze under the clear blue sky. Summer was even more relaxing with the comforting trees giving shade to any of the unpredictable summer weather. Unlike the other seasons, autumn did not instantly appeal to me. Walking home from school when I was little, I stomped on all of the crisp, fallen leaves with hope that the season would quickly go away. As opposed to looking down, I looked up one day and was amazed at how magnificent autumn was. All of the colorful leaves blend beautifully together to color the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is Rocky Mount who opens up a depth to each season. To be able to learn and experience this depth freely and abundantly was truly a gift in itself.

I arrived at Rocky Mount in 1990 when my family first came to America. Rocky Mount only had a Winn-Dixie, a Food Lion, and a Kroger as the main stores. There were also very few restaurants, causing people to cook more than to buy. My family was disappointed with how bare and dull the town was, but to me, it was an exciting new world waiting to be explored. As a child who became attached very easily to her surrounding, I never wanted to leave Rocky Mount. During vacations, I diverted myself with fun during the day, but when night came, I forlornly wanted to go home.

Inevitably, I grew older and the friends I gained replaced my dear Rocky Mount. My new diverse friends lived in another city, so every weekend I drove half an hour to meet up with them. This quickly became a pain, and I resented Rocky Mount for being in such a rural area. One Saturday night, I came home from a bad day of hanging out with my friends. Feeling miserable during the thirty minutes ride home, I finally drove into the empty streets of Rocky Mount. Just like every night, the town was completely isolated and still. But fear and loneliness were the last things on my mind. Like seeing an old, comforting friend, I instantly felt better.

Fifteen years have passed, and Rocky Mount has changed. Super Wal-Mart has quickly dominated its end of town and a movie theater has replaced the old Kroger's building. Restaurants are filled left and right of the streets, and cooking a meal is becoming a foreign concept. My family is amazed with the vast additions to the small town while I still reminisce of the first day I met Rocky Mount.

Like Rocky Mount, I have changed. My fascination with change has replaced my
adherence to routine, and more wisdom and maturity have been instilled into me. My character and morals, like the roads of Rocky Mount, are still the same; even though they had been tested many times by overbearing obstacles, they remain intact to provide a roadmap for the future. Overall, Rocky Mount has made me who I am. By being a guardian, it has taught me the manners and perspectives I need to live a happy life. As a teacher, it has shown me the true beauty of nature. Sharing the similar humble beginning, Rocky Mount and I have grown up together in the past fifteen years. By maintaining our roots but accepting improvements, we have adapted ourselves in the best way possible for our roads ahead.

In less than a year’s time, Rocky Mount and I will part ways when I go to college. It will be sad to leave a dear friend. Similar to the scholar who leaves her educator, the scholar may move on, but the memory and knowledge given by the educator will always be there. Rocky Mount is my educator and my friend. I will miss her.

*Trina Tran graciously shared this essay for BRT. It is an essay she wrote as part of a college application to Harvard.