How to spot a Cheshire kid at UConn

With a total undergraduate population of 23,407 students, it’s inevitable to see new faces every day at UConn. But when you’re from Cheshire, Connecticut, it’s just as likely to see recognizable faces almost everywhere you go.

Why, you might ask? Because Cheshire High School seems to breed students destined for UConn. If you haven’t already shared a class with a Cheshire-ite, you’re bound to before finishing your degree here.

In fact, Cheshire may seem like just another friendly Connecticut town, but there are some distinctive features that characterize UConn Cheshire-ites:

They will always be searching for coffee as good as Cheshire Coffee

If there is anything that screams Cheshire, it is surely Cheshire Coffee – and not just because of the name. You can always find more than a few Cheshire kids there enjoying hot cocoa and scones and catching up with friends. Only rarely can a Cheshire-ite make a quick coffee run at Cheshire Coffee without seeing someone they know.

The whole town agrees: it’s too hard to pass up a frosted mint mocha or a red velvet chai tea latte. Chances are, if you see a UConn student frequenting the campus cafes, they are from Cheshire, and they are certainly longing for a taste of home.

They are always representing their bedding plant capital roots

Most people are completely unaware that Cheshire is the bedding plant capital of Connecticut. But growing up surrounded by fields of blooming petunias and geraniums has provided us Cheshire kids with an appreciation for the outdoors.

If you spot a UConn student spending a little too much time lounging alongside Mirror Lake, there is a good chance it is a Cheshire kid. If you see a few students picnicking at the peak of Horsebarn hill, chances are you have spotted Cheshire-ites who just can’t ignore their roots.

They see each other everywhere, and yet don’t know whether to say hi

With so many on campus, it’s hard for a Cheshire-ite to walk to class without seeing another fellow Cheshire native. While Cheshire natives certainly recognize each other, it can be rather difficult for them to determine whether to say hello to those they barely knew in high school.

They might pass by one another,  wondering whether to smile or wave or just keep looking forward. Let’s be honest, social interactions can be awkward, and if you witness a slightly awkward exchange anytime soon, you may have just seen two Cheshire natives saying hello.

They always represent the Rams

Cheshire students never doubt that the Huskies are phenomenal. That being said, there is something special about the Cheshire Rams. It seems Cheshire students cannot stop representing the red, white, and black.

They don’t just wear their high school sweatpants for a cozy night in the dorm. Instead, you will frequently see Cheshire students wearing their colors all around campus. There is nothing better than a warm sweatsuit when the weather becomes unbearable or it’s just a needed lazy day, and Cheshire students know this extremely well.

They are always running into high school rivals

It isn’t a secret that Cheshire High School takes sports very seriously. Sports are an integral part of the culture at CHS. Of course, with sports comes competition and bitter rivalry, and Cheshire surely has a long list of rivals. Shelton, Amity, Southington, Madison, and Guilford are only a few of their fiercest competitors.

At UConn, however, the walls of the rivalry break down. Frequently, Cheshire students find themselves in classes with their biggest high school competitors. It can be odd for Cheshire kids to realize that these people are representing the same team as them—the Huskies.

But sooner or later, the high school division disappears, and new friendships are formed. If you happen to see two friends, one in a Cheshire sweatshirt and one in a rival’s sweatshirt, you know a Cheshire-ite has finally put their grudges to rest.

UConn will always be our pride and joy, but Cheshire is where we grew up. It is home. The Rams mean everything to us, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t diehard Huskie supporters.  We can never forget the red and black, but the blue and white has charmed us.

The Husky pride will live in us forever, and the friendships we have made here will last a lifetime. That being said, our Cheshire roots will always bleed through, and now you know exactly how to spot us!