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Post by sideways on Aug 19, 2023 15:37:55 GMT
I went to my five year and ten year reunions. At five years, we were all about 23, still getting our lives on track and very much still at the “party stage”. A few were married, even less had kids. I got asked out by like four guys I went to school with that night. Some of whom couldn’t be bothered to give me the time of day in school. (I politely declined all but one, but that date never materialized due to conflicting schedules.) I was married and pregnant at the ten year. It was nice reconnecting with a few friends with whom I’d lost touch, but mostly the reunion served as a reminder of who the assholes were. They’d just turned into bigger assholes. Then, with the advent of FB, I can see the profiles of many of my former classmates. A large number of them are MAGA cultists and they apparently stopped learning and growing after high school. So, there’s no need to ever attend another reunion. I’m still in touch with my three best friends from school 37 years after graduating. That’s enough for me.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Aug 19, 2023 15:49:00 GMT
I went to a small all girls high school so yes when I can. I planned our 10th. Which was a blast and more than half the class was there I think we had like 45 of the 65 girls.
I have done some of the others as I could. I don't live in my hometown anymore. We missed our 40th because of Covid, so we had an unofficial one last year that about 20 people showed up for. But it was all planned on FB and if you don't go on FB you wouldn't have known. (it was really poorly planned, no one really took charge) Next month about 10 of the women who were at the last one are getting together for a weekend in Nashville, one of my classmates lives there.
Funnily I would go back for the people I don't keep in touch with. I think they are more interesting then the ones I know everything that happens because of Social Media! (I am one of those who posts a lot.. so no judgement, just an observation!)
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Aug 19, 2023 15:56:33 GMT
Makes me wonder if social media in the younger crowds will make them a thing of the past.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 19, 2023 16:01:51 GMT
For high school, I really have no interest in reunions. I went to one about ten(?) years ago, just because I had moved back to that town, and it was convenient. Plus, I moved back there due to marrying my high school boyfriend so there's that. Lol.
For college? Those are my people. I go to many reunions and alumni events - especially now that I live closer to there. I have a large group of very close college friends even now. We travel together, visit back and forth, have group chats on-going, and I've even hosted multiple parties and overnights for my gang.
For grad school? Nada. I don't even keep in touch with anyone from my master's program anymore.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 19, 2023 16:03:46 GMT
Never went to a single one and never will. I went to a huge inner city school and didn’t have a lot of friends in my grade so most of the people I would even remotely want to reconnect with wouldn’t be there anyway because they graduated a different year. I hated high school and almost everyone in it. There are a handful of people that I quite honestly never want to see again in this lifetime or any other, and those are the people who would be the most likely to show up. So no, I’m good.
DH hasn’t gone to any of his either even though he did have some good friends in his grade. His reasoning is that he is still in touch with the people he wanted to stay in touch with. There’s no need to go to an organized event to “catch up” with people who never knew he existed back then.
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Post by melanieg on Aug 19, 2023 16:07:38 GMT
No. I hated high school (part of the reason was that my dad was transferred to a very cliquey town when I entered grade 10). I couldn't wait to graduate and get out of there. Why would I go back to hang out with people I don't really know? I don't think I would even recognize any of them on the street.
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Post by katlady on Aug 19, 2023 16:14:09 GMT
Yes, I went to one. It was fun. People that I hung around with in high school were on the planning committee, so I knew there would be people there I knew. We had a big graduating class, close to 1,000. The big man on campus, who probably didn’t even know me in high school, sat next to me at dinner and we had a good chat. Everyone changes. 😂 We even had teachers show up. The drill team (which I was not a part of) did a skit. They had their former PE teacher join in. It was great.
I had to travel for this, and I stayed in the hotel the reunion was at. Before the event started, I went to the pool, and a bunch of the reunion crowd was there. So, the reunion actually started early. And there was an after party in someone’s suite. I didn’t stay long for that.
What also made it special was that there was a small group of us who knew each other since elementary school, a couple of us since kindergarten.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 19, 2023 16:27:46 GMT
I've been to my 10th, 45th and 50th. Had a blast at all of them but especially the 45th and 50th. We make it a 3 day affair and all stay in a hotel with a central courtyard. We usually have at least 120+ people attend including our old teachers! Sadly the 55th was during Covid so we didn't have it. I still send out monthly updates to over 100 classmates and we have a very active Facebook group.
The nice thing about the reunions is that people who didn't have classes with other people, got to be friends through the reunions. We even had a few later-in-life marriages because of the reunions.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 19, 2023 16:31:07 GMT
Makes me wonder if social media in the younger crowds will make them a thing of the past. Sadly (at least to me) you are correct. My DS graduated in 2004 and I'm sure there are no plans for a reunion. They had an informal 5th reunion at a local to them restaurant/bar but it was just word of mouth.
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Post by slowjoe on Aug 19, 2023 17:16:02 GMT
I attended all the big ones. (10th, 20th, 30th). Always had a blast.
I was sort of semi-popular, I guess, but I saw some people I didn't recognize at all, plus a lot of people from all the groups (the jocks, the druggies, the goths, the nerds, the band geeks) all having a great time.
If you're ever on the fence about going, and your hesitancy is due to the relationships or lack of relationships with people, JUST GO. First of all, you're not the same group of people anymore. Everyone has grown up, matured and evolved. You'll be surprised how much you have in common with people you had NOTHING in common with way back when.
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Post by rymeswithpurple on Aug 19, 2023 17:18:09 GMT
I graduated from high school in 2008, and my younger brother in 2012.
There's a FB group for my graduating class where people have tried to get something together, and I have 0 desire to go. I talk to maybe 5 people from high school.
My brother went to his 10 year last year and enjoyed it. 🤷🏻♀️
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Post by lisae on Aug 19, 2023 17:25:55 GMT
I went to the 10th. The last one was apparently an impromptu affair that I heard about 2 days before. The only good reason I could think of to go was I had an outfit that I thought would look nice. That did not seem like a good reason to waste my time or other peoples making small talk with people I likely wouldn't see for another 5 or 10 years. There were 300 other graduates and I figure the chances of the people I would most like to see showing up are low. I still keep in touch with my bff from high school and occasionally run into some others I went to school with.
I may run into a lot of my classmates in my community and not realize it. I went to a funeral a couple of years ago where the minister and a family member were former classmates and I didn't recognize them at all.
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Post by librarylady on Aug 19, 2023 17:45:59 GMT
Funny timing for you to ask. I am pondering whether to attend the upcoming HS one in September. It will be the 60th.
I went to one and had a good time. It was the 10th. By the time the next ones rolled around, my brother and SIL had moved back to the community. Unfortunately she and I share the same first name, making me fear some might confuse the 2 of us as well as knowing she would want to sit together (we graduated in same year). She is big PIA and does things to make sure she is talked about and noticed. (example: I was giving myself a birthday party, women only, with my friends and sisters. For family reasons, I had to include her. At the party, she took off her blouse so we could all see her new bra.).
They have moved away and I could attend. I think I will not attend. I keep up with my one good friend in the class. We get a newsletter from time to time so I am aware of who is doing what.
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bklyngal62
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,984
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:11 GMT
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Post by bklyngal62 on Aug 19, 2023 18:29:59 GMT
I went to my 10th class reunion and never went to another one again. Although I did have fun when I went I noticed that there were still a lot of cliques and everyone wants to out do the other. I'm not up for all of that.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Aug 19, 2023 18:36:44 GMT
No. I was in invisible in high school. I have access to the FB group for my graduating class because it’s a public group.
One year (40th, I think) they posted pictures and names of attendees. The reunion was planned by the very people I expected to plan and go to a reunion. The popular girls, the cheerleaders, the jocks. All reliving their glory days.
The only reason (and I do mean only) I went to high school with those particular people was the geographical boundary line set by the city. The year after I graduated, a new school had been built, and they shifted the school boundary line.
I look at the FB page a few times a year to see who passed away. Other than that, I have no interest.
Last year my name was posted on the “does anyone know whatever happened to these people” list. I thought it was hilarious. At least I haven’t erroneously been reported as being dead.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Aug 19, 2023 18:56:27 GMT
You guys are scaring me. I am wearing a white dress and a pink LV scarf and because I am too old for discomfort I am wearing Birks on my feet. I have a great purse. DDIL is doing my hair. Wish me luck ok?
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Post by snugglebutter on Aug 19, 2023 19:10:04 GMT
Makes me wonder if social media in the younger crowds will make them a thing of the past. I graduated from a tiny school in the 90's and I feel like social media has replaced reunions for us. We've only had one reunion I think, that was a very unofficial BBQ at a classmate's house. There is a class FB group but it's not active.
I also feel like most people who would attend a reunion still live in the area and can socialize whenever they want to. People that moved away will see people if they are back in town, but aren't going to make a specific trip just for a reunion.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,955
Location: Colorado
Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Aug 19, 2023 19:16:20 GMT
I went to my 10th as a few of my friends talked me into it. It was very pricey, but figured for a sit down meal, entertainment and all, okay, not horrible.
OMG. It was standing only, not 1 table or chair in site. We were served potato chips, carrot & celery sticks with dip and some type of craker.
It was typical of what I figured, the jocks hung together and the wall flowers hung together. I did find it amusing that most of the women looked the same, but the guys really changed, with facial hair and getting bellies.
I was not about to go to 20th, but by 30th, thought it might be interesting to go. Had more time, begged to help plan, but was ignored by the snobs that did the planning.
My 50th was this past weekend. I've seen a few of the photos posted to our class FB group. Same group of people that have gone to all the prior reunions. What really ticked me off about this one was the price, which I know is based on region, but for our area, it was ridiculous. $20 for an evening mixer. Okay, not bad, but the main event was $120 per person. And I thought my carrot and celery sticks were expensive. lol That one night is $240 for a couple and many have to travel. Goodness! I think they should have gone with a more middle of the road price point so those that are not doctors, lawyers, etc could afford to attend. Its like the snob planners didn't even give a second thought about trying to be inclusive.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 19, 2023 21:34:15 GMT
I went to my 10th as a few of my friends talked me into it. It was very pricey, but figured for a sit down meal, entertainment and all, okay, not horrible.
OMG. It was standing only, not 1 table or chair in site. We were served potato chips, carrot & celery sticks with dip and some type of craker.
It was typical of what I figured, the jocks hung together and the wall flowers hung together. I did find it amusing that most of the women looked the same, but the guys really changed, with facial hair and getting bellies.
I was not about to go to 20th, but by 30th, thought it might be interesting to go. Had more time, begged to help plan, but was ignored by the snobs that did the planning. My 50th was this past weekend. I've seen a few of the photos posted to our class FB group. Same group of people that have gone to all the prior reunions. What really ticked me off about this one was the price, which I know is based on region, but for our area, it was ridiculous. $20 for an evening mixer. Okay, not bad, but the main event was $120 per person. And I thought my carrot and celery sticks were expensive. lol That one night is $240 for a couple and many have to travel. Goodness! I think they should have gone with a more middle of the road price point so those that are not doctors, lawyers, etc could afford to attend. Its like the snob planners didn't even give a second thought about trying to be inclusive.
That's a shame. I guess my high school is the outlier. A committee with members from all social groups ~ band, jocks, smart kids, average kids, barely graduated kids, cheerleaders, geeks, etc. has been in charge of all our reunions. The one in 2016 was amazingly cheap considering. It was $50 per person for the 3-hour main event at a NOLA event center and the food was unbelievable. DH was amazed because we paid a lot more for his 50th reunion in the Bay Area and it was in a cramped restaurant and the food was awful. It makes me sad that so many people have had bad experiences at their reunions. Oh, and we had people flying in from all over the country (me from CA) with no family in the area.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,425
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Aug 19, 2023 21:37:46 GMT
DH and I went to my 10 year and his 10 year and they both sucked so we don't go to them anymore. Also Facebook keeps me in touch with those I'd like to keep up with. I don't desire to hang out with anyone but I do like to see their families and see what's going on in their lives.
eta: I see "gatherings" from time to time pop up on my HS feed. I graduated in 1992 so my 30 was last year. I think they did something at a park local to the school we graduated from. I have no desire to go so I didn't bother. One year they had it at a winery that one of our classmates was singing at (she did Nashville Star many years ago and has a band). No thanks.
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Post by Linda on Aug 19, 2023 21:50:46 GMT
I haven't - I graduated high school in 1988, DH graduated from the same school in 1989. Neither of us had especially good high school experiences and we both moved away after high school.
I couldn't have afforded to go for a long time even if I had wanted to. Now? I no longer have close family in the area so would have to get a hotel and it's an expensive vacation spot. Honestly while DH and I would love to go back to our hometown and visit, reunions aren't appealing.
And honestly I'm not sure if my class (or his) is holding reunions - we certainly haven't been invited. I'm not hard to find - I'm active on FB, have a couple of former classmates as friends, am on the 'If you grew up in...' FB group for that area, and we're lifetime members of the Alumni Association for the high school.
As for college? I was supposed to be class of 1992, everyone I hung out with was class of 1992 but I didn't end up graduating until 1997 (I know no one in that class - I was no longer on campus when they were freshmen). There's a whole college reunion every May and specific classes often split off at some point but ...I've never gone. At least I'm invited.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,987
Jun 26, 2014 13:42:47 GMT
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Aug 19, 2023 21:52:42 GMT
I graduated with 180 people and have attended several reunions.I skipped the last 2 bc my hometown has s very MAGA, and the be seen what many of my former classmates have posted.
I just didn’t feel like walking into all that negative energy, and I’m really afraid I wouldn’t be able to just suck it up and keep my mouth shut.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,710
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Aug 19, 2023 22:10:28 GMT
I went to my 20th and 25th and had a great time at both. We were out of town for my 30th. My now dh and I had just started dating when he accompanied me to my 20th. Being the prankster he is, he had practically everyone convinced that he was part of our class. He told them all that he was a band nerd with thick glasses and bad skin. They were all so gracious that they would so say “ oh yeah, I think I DO remember you!” The jig was up when he tried to tell that same story to a classmate at our table while I was away talking. What my dh didn’t know was that the guy was our drum major and also now a homicide detective so he wasn’t falling for his bs lol!
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Post by gar on Aug 19, 2023 22:11:26 GMT
It's not a formally organised thing here in the UK. So nope. I agree, they’re not regular, routine things here but I did go to one, about 20 years after we’d left school but after the initial interest of seeing who was who, what they were up to in life I had no interest in going again. There was a reason most of us hadn’t seen each other for that many years.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,955
Location: Colorado
Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Aug 19, 2023 22:22:18 GMT
I went to my 10th as a few of my friends talked me into it. It was very pricey, but figured for a sit down meal, entertainment and all, okay, not horrible.
OMG. It was standing only, not 1 table or chair in site. We were served potato chips, carrot & celery sticks with dip and some type of craker.
It was typical of what I figured, the jocks hung together and the wall flowers hung together. I did find it amusing that most of the women looked the same, but the guys really changed, with facial hair and getting bellies.
I was not about to go to 20th, but by 30th, thought it might be interesting to go. Had more time, begged to help plan, but was ignored by the snobs that did the planning. My 50th was this past weekend. I've seen a few of the photos posted to our class FB group. Same group of people that have gone to all the prior reunions. What really ticked me off about this one was the price, which I know is based on region, but for our area, it was ridiculous. $20 for an evening mixer. Okay, not bad, but the main event was $120 per person. And I thought my carrot and celery sticks were expensive. lol That one night is $240 for a couple and many have to travel. Goodness! I think they should have gone with a more middle of the road price point so those that are not doctors, lawyers, etc could afford to attend. Its like the snob planners didn't even give a second thought about trying to be inclusive.
That's a shame. I guess my high school is the outlier. A committee with members from all social groups ~ band, jocks, smart kids, average kids, barely graduated kids, cheerleaders, geeks, etc. has been in charge of all our reunions. The one in 2016 was amazingly cheap considering. It was $50 per person for the 3-hour main event at a NOLA event center and the food was unbelievable. DH was amazed because we paid a lot more for his 50th reunion in the Bay Area and it was in a cramped restaurant and the food was awful. It makes me sad that so many people have had bad experiences at their reunions. Oh, and we had people flying in from all over the country (me from CA) with no family in the area. It really is. The HS I went to was large. We had about 650 in our graduating class. It was the newest HS in the city. It was 90% white and in my 2nd year, they bused in about 20 black students so they could say they were addressing segregation. It was the uppity white school.
I think smaller schools have a higher success rate at attnedance than larger schools do. Smaller allows for more intimate relationships to develop so people maybe more inclined to attend such gatherings.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 19, 2023 22:25:03 GMT
I think smaller schools have a higher success rate at attnedance than larger schools do. Smaller allows for more intimate relationships to develop so people maybe more inclined to attend such gatherings. Probably so. We had about 330 in my graduating class.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 19, 2023 23:04:39 GMT
Think I made the 10th, 25th and 40th. I don't even go to the 'brunches' the 'girls' have close to monthly. Skipped the 50th and 60th.I guess the 65th is approaching. Not going!!
I must be anti-social.😁 With little or nothing in common with those who are left.
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Post by AussieMeg on Aug 19, 2023 23:05:45 GMT
There's only been one reunion organised for my year level, and that was the 25 year anniversary. I went to it, and I enjoyed catching up with people, some (most) of whom I hadn't seen in 25 years. We've since had a few big dinner catch ups as well.
Even though it was the 25 year anniversary of our Year 12 class, anyone who had been in our year level at any time during the six years of high school came along. My two closest friends from high school (who I still see regularly) both came, even though they both left after Year 11.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 19, 2023 23:07:31 GMT
I went to one a long time ago. But no since then I don’t.
The past can stay in the past.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,955
Location: Colorado
Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Aug 19, 2023 23:09:07 GMT
Think I made the 10th, 25th and 40th. I don't even go to the 'brunches' the 'girls' have close to monthly. Skipped the 50th and 60th.I guess the 65th is approaching. Not going!! I must be anti-social.😁 With little or nothing in common with those who are left. Off topic.... Wow, I never would have thought you would be coming up on a 65th school reunion. I always thought you were like maybe early 30s. lol Guess you have young responses/posts.
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