The notable first notes of “I Don’t Want To Be,” by Gavin DeGraw, start playing as my friends and I drive over the Harry Forden Bridge. Both featured in the credits for the hit teen drama One Tree Hill. I am filled with enthusiasm for what’s to come.
I landed at Wilmington International Airport on a November morning. I knew this would be one of the best weeks of my life. I discovered One Tree Hill in 2015. I was 14 years old. It truly changed my life. I am now 21. In my senior year of college, my wildest dreams came true. I met the cast of One Tree Hill (OTH).
The show resonates with thousands of people. There are standout elements of family, small-town living, friendships, sports, fashion, and relationships. The list goes on. Oh, and the soundtrack is amazing.
The day I heard of Friends with Benefit-Charity Events (FWB), I knew I was going to attend one day. They are a Nonprofit Organization that hosts charity events. A portion of the proceeds goes to charities such as St. Jude’s, USO, and The Girl Project. You meet your favorite cast members, and you donate to causes that truly make a difference in the world. Marvin McFadden once said, “what you do matters.”
It took me a decade as an OTH fan to make my way to Wilmington, aka Tree Hill. My friend Gabby and I spoke of attending FWB’s A Week in Tree Hill in early 2022. The summer was spent purchasing admission tickets, photo ops, and exploring Wilmington on Google Maps. Where should we stay? Where will we go out to eat? My favorite question was, what will I wear? The trip immediately went to the forefront of my life. Hour-long FaceTime calls till 3 a.m. every week became the new normal. It was so much fun. I knew I wanted to be present in every moment of this trip, and my hours of careful planning paid off. I enjoyed every second of it. I have the most vivid memories.
On the first day, FWB held a Giving Boat Ceremony, where non-perishable food items were donated. Lee Norris, known as Mouth McFadden, came by to say a few words and kick off the week. He quoted an iconic line from the series finale spoken by Nathan Scott, “It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for someday, and then quietly, without you ever really noticing. Someday is today. And that someday is yesterday. And that’s your life.” There wasn’t a dry eye on the river walk. Any nerves I had about the week were immediately washed away. I knew it would continuously exceed my expectations. I think it’s relevant to mention, I was very emotional this whole week. I’ve been wanting to experience this for years. On that note, many tears were shed. They were tears of gratitude and pure joy.
On our second day in town, it was time to head to Tric, where FWB hosts their events to start meeting the cast. This was my first time in Tric, the all-ages nightclub featured on the show. A few years ago, I had an idea to start creating a replica inspired by the “Naley bracelet” from OTH. As featured on my Etsy small business, Made By Lara Spencer. Those very Naley bracelets were sold at these events. I am still so grateful to have had this opportunity. Throughout the week, I saw so many people wearing what I made. I was honored.
The first person I met was Craig Sheffer, who played Keith Scott. Keith Scott was a beloved character. It was great to meet him. After that, I met Barbara Alyn Woods, known as Deb Scott. Her energy towards every fan was infectious. Later on, it was pouring. It truly didn’t matter. Of course, it was raining while we were here. If you’re a fan of Naley, you know they love the rain. I remember saying in the car driving around town that there was nowhere else in the world I would rather be than here.
On the first night, I met Lee Norris. Lee shook everyone’s hand and asked their names. He made you feel as if you were talking to an old friend. Next up was Antwon Tanner. To us fans, he is known as Skills. Seeing the two of them in action was golden.
The last person I met on the first night was Bevin Prince. She played Bevin Mirskey. Bevin’s smile was so welcoming. It was so exciting to hug her.
I have waited for November 12, 2022, for years. The day was here. It was time to meet the core 5 members of the show. First up was Hilarie Burton Morgan, who played Peyton Sawyer on OTH. Peyton Sawyer has always been one of my favorite characters. She is someone I have looked up to for years. I was enthused to finally meet her. Her graciousness radiated through the room. Hugging someone you have looked up to since you were 13 years old is so heartwarming.
Next up was Chad Michael Murray, who played Lucas Scott. Chad made you feel as if you were the only person in the room. He was so attentive and generous with every fan. Chad is a 2000’s heartthrob. That still holds to this day. Everyone in the room was swooning over him.
Hilarie and Chad did an unexpected photo op together. Their couple’s name on the show was “Leyton”. The “Leyton” photo op was a true dream come true. “It’s you when all my dreams come true, the one I want next to me. It’s you,” Lucas once said to Peyton. That is exactly how it felt. I was overcome with emotion in this photo op. Chad said the kindest thing to me that I will never forget. I will forever hold it close to my heart.
Bethany Joy Lenz referred to as Joy, also known as Haley James Scott, was awesome to meet. She was soft-spoken and kind. I had a blast meeting Tyler Hilton. He is the voice of many great songs featured on OTH. We exchanged jokes.
Austin Nichols, also known as Brooke Davis’s husband Julian Baker, was so energetic. I could tell Austin loves meeting fans, his vibe was incredible. Another person I met on this day was Daphne Zungia, who played Victoria Davis. She was such a strong actress on the show.
On this night, FWB hosted an acoustic concert. Tyler Hilton, Jana Kramer, Bethany Joy Lenz, Amber Brooke Wallace and Kate Voegele played a set. One Tree Hill is known for its sublime music and concerts hosted in Tric. It was surreal in the audience of a Tric concert.
The following day, Sunday, November 13, 2022, I experienced a Tree Hill Ravens basketball game. The charity game was held at Emsley A. Laney High School, where Michael Jordan played. This was the original gym featured on the show.
Nathan Scott aka James Lafferty was suited up in his Ravens uniform. Along with the rest of the team. Lee Norris acted as the announcer, just like in the good old days. Colin Fickes aka Jimmy Edwards came out with Lee wearing their ravenshoops.com t-shirts.
Barry Corbin, a beloved character on the show known as Coach Whitey Durham, came out. I have always adored Whitey on the show. To see him at a Tree Hill Ravens basketball warmed my heart. Meeting him later that afternoon in Tric was a gift. “Whitey” was a voice of reason in the earliest seasons of OTH. He was a role model for the young characters. I watched Barry and Chad interact. It was obvious everyone has a high level of respect for Barry.
I met Robert Buckley, known as Clay Evans. Plus, Shantel VanSanten, known as Quinn James. I met them in a photo op together. I had previously seen Robert Buckley on the Drama Queens Live Tour. It was exciting to tell him how hilarious he was then. Shantel was sweet, I hope to meet her again someday.
The most astonishing experience of this trip was taking a photo with Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty together. This was referred to as the “co-captains” photo op. The Scott Brothers are the plot of OTH. This was my first time meeting James Lafferty this weekend and ever. I adore him along with everyone in the building. He played Nathan Scott, who is a beloved character. It was surreal talking to him.
Every girl in Tree Hill loves Jake Jagielski, played by Bryan Greenberg. I had a great conversation with him about what it’s like to have twins, as I am a twin. The last person I met was Stephen Colletti. Stephen played Chase Adams. You may also know him from Laguna Beach, or Everyone is Doing Great. I told him I saved the best for last. He was so friendly, I enjoyed our conversation so much.
Everyone from the One Tree Hill cast was marvelous to meet. I may be biased. But it was a dream come true. OTH is different from other shows. It is a real place that you can visit. That is a factor that keeps the magic of Tree Hill alive. It was bigger than being around actors and actresses from a television.