There’ve been lots of reunions this year for many of us which have come and gone. They range from High School – to Family – to Previous Employer – to even a Mini-College reunion.

Expectations? None, really, especially not at this age, yet the conversations I had with my high school classmates at my 5th, 10th, 20th, and 30th high school reunions went something like this:

5th & 10th: “What is your title – and how much do you make?”

20th: “How many kids do you have – and do you still work full time?”

30th: “What college is your kid going to?”

40th (although we did not have our 40th due to Covid): “How is your health? Are you happy?”

My goodness, how the questions change as we grow older.

Let’s focus more on my high school, which wasn’t quite like the musical High School Reunion – but add in some fun facts, tidbits and a few snarky side notes – and you’ve likely got some relatable experiences with your own high school:

Fact: My high school was nestled atop a hill in the affluent, idyllic, East Side of…let’s call it – Suburbia, New York. The school carried a reputation for academic excellence, and it still holds true today. It may sound rather snooty, but I am grateful for the amazing teachers who instilled discipline and demanded the very best from us.

Another important fact, and no surprise: throughout my high school years, my class had its own kind of Caste System:

Jocks, Wingers, and Dirtballs.

The Jocks were naturally at the top of the heap, and were the best athletes, the best dressed, and the best-looking. Most of the Jock Guys played 2 or 3 sports, back when sports were NOT year-round (lacrosse comes to mind nowadays). The Jock Girls also played sports – not to mention most being the ever-popular, pretty and perky cheerleaders. I truly believe that the 2004 Lindsay Lohan film Mean Girls was inspired by a couple of members of this group, but will never be able to prove it.

The Wingers were the outgoing, fun kids who hung out in the Music Wing and performed in band, theater, choir, you name it, they did it all. They were highly talented, and incredibly intelligent. Studies show that playing a musical instrument leads to better grades, and these kids were proof. While this high school has never recognized a Valedictorian or Salutatorian, it’s a good bet that the majority of these high academic achievers would’ve been seen walking in and out of the Music Wing (to and from the library).

The original “High School Musical“ with Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens. Go Wildcats!

The Dirtballs (no question that this term originated from the Mean Girls at my school) were the group who hung out in a heavily-traveled corridor of the school known as “Dirtball Hall.” It was kind of a Land of Misfits, but these kids relied on one another for friendship, smokes, rides, and – just perhaps – the occasional bag of weed. Many attended part-time trade school and developed future job skills as a smart alternative to attending college.

These 3 cliques had subsets – those kids who fell through the cracks, and some who were “crossovers” – i.e. musicians (Wingers) who played a sport; Dirtballs who would build sets and work lighting crew for the musicals; Jocks who smoked weed and dabbled with “experimental” drugs back in the day. While I was on the girls’ swim team, it wasn’t considered a popular sport, thus, I was not considered a Jock, nor popular, nor was I really a Winger because I didn’t play an instrument – nor did I ever try out for “Chorale” – simply because I was busy swimming for the first three months of school.

Jennifer Grey and Charlie Sheen in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – a high school cult classic where in this scene two cliques first collide – then connect

Our class – 400 in all – lost several classmates due to Covid, cancer, substance abuse, and some very tragic accidents. As a result, and partly thanks to social media, classmates are reuniting more than ever. We’ve formed bonds with people that we’ve known almost as long as our siblings, even treating them like they were a cousin, or the little brother or sister we always wanted. I’ve chosen to communicate the old-fashioned way…meet up for a cup of coffee if they’re in town – and the not-so-old-fashioned text. Or wait – I have made a simple phone call….yes, a phone call! It’s been fun to hear some of my old friends’ voices, who sound exactly like they did when they were 16 or 17.

So – whatever you called your groups in high school – sit back for a moment, remenisce, and be thankful we are still around to think about the triviality of it all. And as painful as it was at times for me – being teased about my braces, weight, or really ugly glasses (that are popular today), I’m lucky to have forged some great friendships in high school which I still have – and will always cherish.

So remember – “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

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“You’re still here? It’s over. Go home.”