One of the most prominent school stereotypes is the nerd. Defined by incredible intelligence but sub-par social skills, this group has been the subject of ridicule for as long as it has existed. 

The stereotype first hit the mainstream in the mid ‘70s, and has been one of the most well-known ever since. Along with social awkwardness and intelligence, traits associated with nerds include interest in technology, wearing glasses, and dressing well. But the self-identified nerds of Eaglecrest don’t entirely agree with those stereotypes.

“A lot of people picture that guy who dresses all nice with the weird glasses and a weird personality and is bullied a lot,” says freshman Miles Mabrey. “I think nerds don’t have to be like that; they’re a lot different than what people make them seem like.”

As with any stereotype, those associated with nerds aren’t always accurate. Even some of the definitional traits of nerds aren’t always true.

“I feel like they’re depicted as people that are impossible to be friends with,” said sophomore Adam Dymond. “But a lot of my closest friends [are] nerds.”

Nerds have been one of the most stigmatized school stereotypes, and experts disagree on the origin of the ridicule. But Eaglecrest’s nerds think the stereotype may stem from jealousy.

“In my opinion, nerds have awesome personalities,” Mabrey said. “So maybe people are just jealous.”

Bullying is a genuine problem in the nerd community, but they don’t disagree about its cause.

“People are jealous that [nerds] are smarter than them, just to put it bluntly,” Dymond said.

But according to them, everyone’s a nerd in some way.

“People always are like, ‘No, I don’t want to be a nerd. I don’t think that nerds are cool,’” Mabrey said. “Well, they really are, because being a nerd does not mean that you’re that weird kid. [It just means] you like something and want to talk about it. For example, I’m a nerd about music, and I’m a nerd about Marvel, and I like to express that. I think everyone’s a nerd in some way.”

They may be a little biased, but the nerds of EHS can agree on one thing: “Nerds are pretty cool, man,” said Dymond.