I’ve lived here my entire life, but I’ve traveled enough to know that much of what fills our everyday lives has a distinct Lawrence flavor. From the ephemera one notices driving down the street, the ubiquity of the Jayhawk or roundabouts made out of yellow poles every 10 feet in some neighborhoods or to the more substantive issues, such as the nearly unexampled way in which we govern ourselves, Lawrence certainly sets itself apart.

Sure, there are places like us. I’ve heard Lawrence compared to many of what are considered quintessential college towns — university-centered, highly educated, relatively liberal, local-oriented cities across the country. Yet, not many can claim to be such a city in the middle of a state that restricted the teaching of evolution in the classroom just a few years ago. Somehow, this oasis arose in the middle of a state of which I’m not always proud to a resident.

Whenever I meet people around the country, I’ll ask them where they are from, and the response is usually something like “Connecticut.” In contrast, my answer usually entails something like “Oh, me? I’m from Lawrence, Kansas. It’s where KU is. You know? The Jayhawks — a good basketball team. Yeah, it’s way different than the rest of Kansas. We have hills and trees and stoplights and nice cars.” By this point I’ve freaked out the other person who was looking for a one- or two-word response, but I can never just let myself say “Kansas.”

Lawrence is such a unique place, it’s hard to want it any other way sometimes. Yet, when I think about all of the characteristics I like about Lawrence (the public schools, having the university and all of the special opportunities it provides, downtown, the arts) it all seems to come back to one thing: The educated, involved and friendly citizenry. The people are what make Lawrence so special.

Yes, there are definitely some things I’d like to see change in Lawrence. As a teen, I see a few big problems. First and foremost — and this is a problem in most places, I know — comes funding for education; we are paying our teachers like chumps and losing them because of it. Another concern I have is that there could be more to do for the 18-and-under crowd. Thirdly, and of almost equal importance to the first, comes getting rid of all of those abhorrent yellow roundabouts. Those roundabouts need to go. I bet Wichita doesn’t even have those. But I digress. Yet, consider this: The fact that one of my biggest problems with the city is a circle of yellow poles in the street says plenty about the city. In Lawrence, I take for granted aspects of life like safety, parks, good water, a good education, a very competitive college basketball team and so many other facets of life that people have to worry about elsewhere. Moreover, even in my grievances I find positive aspects of Lawrence: I said “more” to do for kids, but there’s already a surfeit of youth activities relative to most other towns, especially in Kansas.

All things considered, Lawrence is definitely a good place to grow up. I’m not big on the weather or the state politics, but I’m glad that I spent my formidable years here. As my friends and I think about college for next year, I can understand those who want to get away, but I also understand those who think Lawrence is a fine place to stay for another four years.

– Caleb Powers is a Free State High school senior and member of the Journal-World Teen Advisory Board.