HS Reunion - Part 3

 

The Photo Wall and Hallowed Halls...

Through some stroke of luck, all of our senior High School vintage yearbook photo collages have been preserved. We had been told some years back  that they were to be moved (likely destroyed). Our class put up an organized effort and they were saved. Our year is front-and-center as you enter through the student / bus entrance.  

I am sure all of the JR High kids now wonder who are all these old people.  We do too.  

Tommy

This must have been a huge effort, first collecting / organizing the photos and then, back before computers, physically pasting in all of the yearbook photos one by one. The spacing is perfect. All photos are alphabetical with each name in black ink calligraphy. I believe our Shop / Drafting teacher was instrumental in the effort.  Thank you Mr. Harrison for this lasting memory. 

Going back was the only way to see the photos. The collage was completed during the summer after our graduation and hung in the fall. So today, may have been the first time some saw it.   

Seeing photos of classmates no longer with us, is moving. For us returning class mates, what a treasure. 

That day it did not take much effort to close one's eyes and remember. Feel and hear the noise of this group between classes moving through the halls - 60 years ago.  

HS Reunion - Part 2

Memories Friendship Pride

Part 1 photo here: 

Above all else I want to thank the incredible class of ‘66. Somehow through the efforts of several very dedicated and persistent classmates, they have kept connections open for 60 years.  No small task. Notifying us of gatherings, losses, accidents and accomplishments. You know who you are. Thank you. I am so proud to be a part of an inclusive and accepting group of special men and women. 

I am going to add a little more color commentary to my recent HS Reunion weekend.

Touring the "Old" High School
A collage of our yearbook photos In the background

 

First,  I was well known among my classmates, through sports and school activities so attending this time was a sure happening. In school I did not seek popularity. Being a country kid I never run with the cool kids. However, I was included and liked. I ask a reunion attendee how was I perceived? She said, “We all knew you were smart”. Something I did not see in myself until much later in life.

This was my third escape reunion, so there was no longer any confusion to me being “Tommy” the girl now. 

On a personal note there was a validating interchange with a wife of a classmate. She  innocently made my weekend. I will set the stage with an old joke:

There was a gathering of comedians where jokes were shared. Being most had at one time or another heard all the jokes, the jokes were given numbers. Someone would stand, call out a number and all would chuckle, recalling both the story and punchline. One comedian stood, call a number and mild laugh occurred. Except for one, who roared with laughter. Someone ask, what was that?  Another participant leaned in and whispered, “He had never heard that one”. 

Like I said, by now I was old news (or joke). Almost all at the reunion knew of me now being a girl and I was just accepted as one of the group. No big deal. One classmate’s wife had not been clued in yet. While touring our old school, she leaned in and ask, “I bet you were a cheerleader.”  I laughed and said, “I was the middle line-backer with your husband on the football team”. The realization finally hit. For the rest of the afternoon, we were fast friends with her asking many questions. The one person in the room that had not caught the joke. 

Attending a Cocktail reception Thursday
The main entrance at my resort hotel. 

Other than that, the event was typical for what anyone would expect. Acceptance and just being one of the classmates. I tried to interact with many that I had not seen in years. My motivation, since our last reunion we have lost classmates and one could easily observe that time was taking it's toll. A former girlfriend was not there; cancer. Our senior class president attempted to speak, and it was evident that short-term memory was ebbing. He barely finish his planned speech.

We were told that many did not attend because of health issues. One had broken her hip a few days before the reunion. A reunion committee member had passed away just the week before; we honored him that evening.  Several that I talked with spoke of having debilitating conditions.

Maybe you should never go home. Although I went each time with the purpose of making sure a transgender person is not remembered like the news portrays us; just one of “y’all” as they say in Virginia.

These are my thoughts on being there and this being maybe our last get-together. For me a wonderful escape weekend. Many thanks to the Reunion Committee.  Great job! 

Pride, appreciation, acceptance and a memory rich time defined the weekend. I only hope Tommy is fondly remembered, by all.  

Our Dinner Party Saturday Night