School Reunions: Have you been to one lately?

Posted by Lesli

I've taken part in my 10-year high school reunion, then I went back to my elementary school for a 25th Elementary School Anniversary (Yea, Pineridge School!), and now I hear through the grapevine that there's a 20-year high school reunion coming up.

To tell the truth, I think I'm done with school reunioning. I was excited to check out my 10-year reunion. I even wore my trademark cowgirl boots. I met up with a lot of people (not one did I keep in touch with after the reunion...) I was amazed at how very little the kids turned adult from my high school hadn't changed.

As I walked into the venue for said high school reunion, I could clearly see the invisible lines drawn on the ballroom floor. For goodness sakes - it was 10 years later and they were still clique-ing like they were 16-years old.

Which was awkward for me, as I was not part of any clique, but wore many hats in high school, unable to get myself labelled. Which is a good way to be, until it's time to choose your seat for dinner...!

A few years ago, when my elementary school celebrated it's 25th Anniversary I was excited to check it out. So excited that I volunteered on the committee that organized it all.

I had gone through my entire life thinking that one of my elementary teachers, Mr. Hamilton, had made quite an impression on my life and was excited to connect again.

So, I suffered through anniversary committee meetings, time capsule opening plans and getting the donations of food and drinks, all the time looking forward to meeting Mr. Hamilton again!

The night of the anniversary came and there was Mr. Hamilton! I immediately approached him and with a big grin said, "Hi, Mr Hamilton!"

Mr. Hamilton looked at me and politely said, "Hi." It was clear he didn't recognize me (Which is fair...). So I told him my name and that I had been in his class. He squinted his eyes and looked at me again and said, "What grade?" I filled him in on all of the details, even gave him a few anecdotes - and he still didn't remember me!

What he did say was, "Do you remember David Smith? Man, he was so bad! Is he here? I want to see how he turned out!"

There I was, after waiting over a year (and more) to meet up with my favourite teacher again, I find out that he is hoping to meet up with the kid he used to bonk on the head with library books...That's what stuck out in his mind - the bad kid...not the quiet kid who wrote stories and cleaned the chalkboard after school...

Needless to say, I was crushed! The rational side of me said give the teacher a break! He's seen thousands of kids in his lifetime. But, my sentimental, grade 5 side said, Hello, check out the class pics and review the names before you come to a 25th school anniversary, bright light!!!

Fast forward to the 20-year high reunion that's approaching...do I want to go?

Figuring it out as I go,

- Lesli

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

ayen said:

I went to my 20th hs reunion and also noticed the cliques. Also noticed how some people looked much older! It was nice to see how everyone turned out though. We're planning on going on the 25th reunion when it comes.

Too bad your teacher only remembered the bad ones. :(

Lesli says:

Thanks for your post...you're right, it is fun to see the path that people have chosen...and not chosen...

Posted at 09:01 PM, on September 14 2007

School Reunions: Have you been to one lately?

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