Reunion
I just went to my 10 year reunion for South Salem High School. It was a very interesting experience. I was really surprized by how few people there were. Out of a graduating class of about 350, I'll bet there were only 60 graduates there. There were an aweful lot of people that I was looking forward to reconnecting with that just weren't there. I guess now I'll have to wait another 10 years.
It was great to see those who were there. I ended up with a rather different impression of how high school went.
It was great to see those who were there. I ended up with a rather different impression of how high school went.
posted by david at 8:25 PM
4 Comments:
How I wish you'd been more expansive in that last paragraph! Now I'm all curious.
Yes, I'm curious also what you mean by how your perceptions have changed.
This year would have been my 20th high school reunion, but I don't think there was enough interest to have one. I think high school reunions are largely an anachronism. The younger generations don't have the same sense of community that our parents and grandparents had.
I think this has implications for the church, as well. It's not as important to make personal connections these days. Gone is the era when people would look for a church and other social ties immediately upon moving into a community. Reaching the "unchurched" is getting more complicated.
My memories of high school weren't all that great. I spent those four years with a lot of fear, whether it was founded or not. I was scared of a lot of people in my class, and I really did perceive of many of them as threats to my safety. The one's who weren't a physical danger could often be counted on to deride and belittle. What was surprising about the reunion is that it was so civil and people were so collegial. I didn't feel nearly as threatened as I had expected to.
Well, that sounds thoroughly hideous. I'm so glad you came through high school so well-- and that the reunion didn't pose as much of a trial!
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