Editor's Note: As a Hanover area "townie," Graeme Calloway '12 resented Dartmouth students who crossed the street in front of his car. Now, as one of four Dartmouth '12s from Hanover High School, Graeme knows what it's like to hold up traffic. Graeme discusses the pros and cons of choosing to stay in the Dartmouth bubble.
How long have you lived near Hanover?
I moved to Norwich from Bellows Falls, Vt. when I was seven, so I've lived here for 11 years. My house is two minutes away.
Growing up, what was Dartmouth to you?
It was the place where my parents worked -- my dad's a history professor and my mom's in the International Office -- so it didn't really seem like a college to me. I was always at functions and meeting important people, but didn't think much of it. I definitely took it for granted. At the same time, everything had a Dartmouth focus -- we all went to the bonfire, to graduation, to Dartmouth games. Coming into Hanover was fun, sort of like coming into the "Big Town."
Why did you choose to stay here?
As applications came back and I saw that I got into Dartmouth, I was really pumped. I didn't really know why, but the thought of going to Dartmouth really started to appeal to me. None of the other schools compared. And honestly, I can't imagine being anywhere else.
What were the reactions of other local kids when they heard about your decision?
It's kind of looked down upon at Hanover High. I've heard Hanover kids call it a safety school because we have a hometown advantage. If you stay in town, people are like, "What are you doing?" -- even adults. Kids from Hanover High go to Dartmouth every year, but there's still a lot of criticism. They think you're going to become this Dartmouth stereotype who pops his collar and jumps out in front of cars.
Were you at all worried about staying?
Sort of -- I joked about transferring to Princeton! People were worried for me, so I worried too.
Do you think you had the same feelings about starting college as everyone else?
Not at first. All my life I had seen the H-Croo kids dancing on the steps and thought it was the stupidest thing ever. At the end of the summer I was like, "Oh God, I have to go do this." But when I did, it was completely different. When you're a part of it, you don't judge them. I got back from my trip and was so pumped to be at Dartmouth. I just wanted to get back.
Now that you're here, do you have a different perspective on Hanover?
I don't identify with Hanover anymore. When I'm at my house, I say I'm going back to college. I'm not home enough for it to seem like I'm still there. And it really bothers me if I see Hanover kids at frats -- it's like a townie intrusion. So the distinction is pretty clear. When I went home for break, my friends and I met at Lou's and it was like we were all coming back. They joked that I had never left, but because I hadn't seen them in so long, it felt like we were all coming home together.
Do you think your relationship with your home friends is different than most other peoples' because you're technically still home?
A little. My friends come back and act like everything is the same, but I've been here the whole time experiencing Dartmouth. It's strange that they think nothing's changed.
What about your relationship with Dartmouth friends? Do they give you a hard time about being a townie?
I get questions like "Do you go home every weekend?" and "Does your mom still make your bed?" But they also know I can be helpful -- they'll ask where to get a haircut or ask about directions.
You're the Hanover authority.
Exactly. It's pretty cool. It's also sort of funny because I came in thinking I was already the Dartmouth authority, but there were definitely some misconceptions. I had this stereotypical idea of Dartmouth frats having "frat sludge" a foot deep, everyone getting roofied, you know. [Laughs] That's not the case, of course.
So is it safe to say your life is very different even though you're in the same place?
Oh yeah. Dartmouth is a completely different side of things -- it's not like living in Hanover. I hadn't been in a frat before I came here, for example. It's the student culture as opposed to the townie culture.
Now that you've been here a term, do you think your initial worry was justified? Do you ever feel like you're missing out?
Yes and no. For example, everyone has that quintessential, momentus move-in day, but my parents dropped me off with a key and a blanket, and I was like, "I'll be back tomorrow to grab more stuff." Also, nothing here is new to me -- I've climbed on the snow sculpture, been to the bonfire. But now I get to experience it as a student. I've been watching the bonfire for 10 years, but this year I was finally a part of it, which was pretty awesome. I have a claim to it now. So yes, I'm definitely missing out on the novelty of college. I came in knowing the routine, knowing Dartmouth students, knowing the professors. On the other hand, that's also my advantage. It's been special in a different way. I used to go to Collis and try to pretend I was a college student. Now I am one. It's very different. It's great.
