I went to an all-boys, military, catholic high school in Savannah Georgia. Most people would think that going to a school with those claims would be a traumatic experience, but the 400 of us enjoyed long days of classes, hanging out with monks, having mass, and practicing drill (military marching). On the outside, the school looked no different than any other high school. Except for multiple platoons of cadets marching around the school, carrying ceremonial rifles, swords, and flags. And then the most competitive team sport, raider team. Most people don’t know about what they are, but it is a team with the strongest and most fit people in the school. I was a part of the raider team soon after hearing how great and inclusive it was from my friends. The raider team was a team of 40ish guys who participated in timed events to earn points and win competitions in teams of 10. Seems easy right? Wrong. Those events ranged from running a mile, flipping a 300lb tire down a football field and back, climbing up a 12ft wall and then running a mile and a half with heavy rucksacks and litters. We practiced all year for these competitions and always placed well among the other schools across Georgia and the southeastern US. The blood, sweat, and tears we put into the team created unbreakable bonds between us. At the school, we were considered brothers, but on that team, we became closer than ever. I will not forget those years practicing and competing with my brothers, and even though it caused so much physical pain and mental drainage, I would do it again in a heartbeat. That team shaped me to become a better me and created lifelong friends. So if you hear something crazy, like an all-boys, military, catholic high school, don't knock it till you try it.