The Kinds of Students You’ll Meet at TCA

By Bethany Grimm

In the History-English Department, freshmen and seniors alike learn about the various archetypes found in classic literature, but can we put a TCA spin on it? We guarantee you’ll meet at least a few of the following (as well as many different people with many other different qualities) in your years as a Trojan.

The Carrot Conspiracy Theorist

During holidays and major school events like Halloween, Christmas, exam week, and Homecoming week, the Carrot visits the Upper School, decorating the halls with streamers and carrot sticks. The ensuing buzz of “whodunnit” keeps many students guessing on which student, teacher, or administrator could possibly be behind the mask. Whether they’re actually right about the Carrot’s identity forever remains a mystery.

The Panini Press Enthusiast

If you’ve ever smelled the faint scent of smoke from the back of the cafeteria, you have this student to thank. Armed with nothing but disregard for the wax paper bags and the ambition to craft the best quesadilla a Dallas private school has ever seen, there are enough of these students to keep the panini press line held up. Will their next experiment result in culinary magic or disaster?

The Chicken Mini Provider

Whether it’s a classroom Christmas party or a midweek advisory meeting, this student can always be counted on to spend their precious ten minute passing period racing to the nearest Chick-fil-a to grab chicken minis for their friends. Keep an eye out for their text reminding you to Venmo them.

The One Who Caught All Their Bugs the Summer Before

Spring of freshman year is marked by the bug project, in which students learn how to wrangle, artistically impale, and classify insects. Imagine having that kind of foresight – the rest of us are destined to wade in a field, saying, “Just one more Lepidoptera!” “Wait, that thing moved!” “Oh, it’s a leaf-” while this student sits back and laughs as they put the final touches on a flawless project.

The One Who Lives for Homecoming Week

Some people’s senses of humor become apparent from across the school during, what is arguably, the most chaotic week of the year. This student might arrive late to first period after wrestling themselves into a blue morph suit for Monochromatic Monday or an inflatable horse and cowboy outfit for Derby Day, but it’s all worth it once they get posted on the TCA Instagram account.