High School Class Reunions: Nostalgia, Reconnecting and Surprises

Attendees at the 45th class reunion of Moberly High School (Photo by Chuck DeWeese Photography)

The invitation to the reunion arrives in the mail, you see it on social media, or you receive an email or text message. Whoa! Now what?

First thought: How can it be THAT many years since you graduated high school? Then your mind starts wandering back to those years of classrooms, teachers, hanging out with friends, sports events, dances, maybe some first dates, and lots of moments that either make you smile or maybe cringe a bit. You realize that those high school years really were that long ago!

Second thought: Do you want to attend the reunion and see some of my high school classmates and talk about the “old days”? This question can be more challenging to answer. Notwithstanding your availability and the logistics of traveling to the reunion, you wonder if it’s important or will it be fun. Maybe you’re worried about how you’ve aged or how much you’ve accomplished since graduation – and how you might be judged compared to other classmates.

I went through these thoughts this summer about my upcoming 45th high school class reunion. For those trying to do the math in your heads, let me help. I graduated in 1980 from Moberly High School in Moberly, Missouri. I have attended many of my reunions, starting at the five-year mark in 1985. I missed a couple due to calendar conflicts and Covid concerns when our 2020 reunion was rescheduled the following year. But this year, I was excited to go after at least 15 years.

Our reunions have always been low-key and full of conversation and laughter. But after so many years away, what would it be like to gather with many of my former classmates and long-ago friends? Keeping up with some of them on Facebook isn’t quite the same as sharing stories and life updates face to face. After that reunion weekend, I realized how much my high school experience and classmates meant to me.

Enjoying Nostalgia for Our Glory Days 

Of course, we talked a lot about what happened during high school. “Do you remember that biology teacher who also coached wrestling?” “Remember the dances in the cafeteria on Friday nights?” “Who else was on the girls’ tennis team that year?” It’s fun to relive those memories and marvel at what we remembered and shake our heads about the events and moments we thought we had forgotten.

Classmates Patty and Cheryl (Best Dressed)

One classmate brought her yearbooks, a graduation program, and other mementos from our 1976-1980 era at MHS. While seated at dinner, our class president Lori asked us trivia questions about our senior year, causing earnest discussion and lots of laughter:

• What was the musical that year? (Camelot) 

• What was the name of the school newspaper? (The Spartan Scroll) 

• Who was US president when we graduated in May 1980? (Jimmy Carter) 

• What was the population of Moberly in 1980? (about 13,400) 

• Who was voted Best Athletes? (Granville and Michelle) 

• Who was voted Best Dressed? (Cheryl and Kevin) 

It’s gratifying to realize these shared experiences bind us together still – even if we haven’t stayed in close contact over the years.

Reconnecting with Old Friends 

Throughout the reunion weekend, the best part was talking with classmates about where they live and are they still working (some of us are lucky enough to be retired), how their families are doing, and what keeps them busy. You know, the usual stuff. But it’s somehow more interesting when you already have a shared history.

Posing with my high school bestie Tracie (right)

I was amazed how much we had not REALLY changed. Sure, there were some heavier body shapes (my own included), some gray hair and face wrinkles, and more pairs of glasses. All in all, we still bore strong resemblances to our senior photos, which were displayed on large banners hung on the walls at our reunion. I misidentified a couple of classmates and certainly struggled to remember some names even if the faces were familiar. Once those details were confirmed, the conversation just flowed.

Despite lots of opportunities to chat with classmates at a reunion, there often isn’t enough time to connect with everyone. My strategy for the next reunion is to circulate the room more and not sit down as much to chat. I’ll also make separate plans to meet with closer friends sometime that weekend.

Discovering Surprises 

As in other aspects of my life, I’m always intrigued by unexpected moments and pieces of information. That weekend afforded me several delightful surprises about classmates, the high school and the community.

Newer entrance to Moberly High School

On Friday afternoon of the reunion weekend, I joined a tour of our high school. As several of us walked through the building, we were surprised to see how much had changed, especially when the exterior of the building looked almost the same:

• The main entrance and administration office were moved to the doors by the old gymnasium.  

• Classroom and locker areas were completely rebuilt and rearranged. 

• A new gymnasium was added to the south end of the building. 

• The auditorium had been updated with new seating and acoustics. 

• The music rooms were renovated. 

• The school offers a Junior ROTC program. 

Some things about the high school still seemed familiar, especially the smell in the old gymnasium – perhaps a mixture of wooden floor varnish, sweat and who knows what else.

Following the school tour, several of us remained for the Friday night Homecoming football game. I remember spending a lot of time in the football stadium on Friday nights – either with the marching band or on the track surrounding the field as a cheerleader. Sitting in the bleachers that night brought back many memories and an unexpected conversation with a woman sitting next to me. I didn’t know her, but I recognized a fellow “band mom” when I saw her recording the marching band’s halftime performance. (I’ve done the same many times as my son and daughter marched in their high school and college bands.) After the performance, her daughter came to sit with her for a few minutes, and I struck up a conversation to tell them how much I enjoyed seeing the band and that I marched with that band more than 45 years ago. They both seemed impressed.

There were surprises at the reunion meet-up on Saturday night as well. At the buffet dinner line, I discovered that Cheryl (of Best Dressed fame) lives about 2 miles from me in the St. Louis suburbs. Another classmate, Jean, wants to learn how to make quilts; we may need to schedule some working sessions together since I’m a long-time quilter.  With sadness, too, I learned how many classmates had passed away since we graduated. Despite their physical absence, our class will always remember them with fondness through a shared bond. Finally, from an overall perspective, I marveled at how easily we all reformed as a cohesive group that picked up where we left off together so many years ago. 

Don't Miss Your Class Reunion!

If your high school class reunion is approaching, I encourage you to attend and offer to help with organizing the event. Even if you haven’t been in close contact or even if you see many classmates around town, it’s such a great way to connect and celebrate with people who have shared such an important time together.

MHS Class of 1980, I can’t wait for our 50th class reunion in 2030!

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