September 2016: High School Reunion

Drove to Chicago for my 50th high school reunion. From a class of about 900 graduates, about 300 returned for this gig, many chaperoned by spouses.

It was better than any party I can remember from high school, including the senior prom — probably because everyone was more relaxed, less anxious, and more liquored. Most of us are still able to dance.

The high school sent the cheerleading squad over to entertain us. The girls fled as soon as they realized we could be their grandparents.

About 15% of the class were present in memoriam, which means only half the class didn’t come in spite of still living. We will track them down and make them sorry.

Among the absent, all the girls I dated. Happily, many of those I lusted after came to the ball — but of course at 17 I lusted after just about everyone in skirts. Gail proved tolerant of the old ladies who told her I’m much cuter now than at 17. Of course, most of the other guys left their hair at home.

I was amazed at how many couples knew each other in high school but didn’t get married until chance encounters decades later.

The Evanstonian staff met for breakfast, with our advisor John Reque, now 85 and sharper than ever — retirement has been good to him. Absent daily confrontations with irrational adolescents, he’s much more relaxed. Only three of the staffers wound up doing journalism. The rest became lawyers, or productive members of society.

I went to the 20th and 30th, skipped the 40th. At 20 years, the kids who matured early (physically) also aged early — the football players and cheerleaders hadn’t yet figured out that staying fit requires work (the survivors have now mastered that). The awkward kids who blossomed late were gorgeous at 37. Everyone was cheery and optimistic.

At 30 years, and age 47, the kids who had found great success didn’t show up, nor did the kids who had found little success. That left the Great Mediocres. Most of us had realized we weren’t going to get the corner office. Much duller party.

At 50 years, age 67, almost everyone who showed up is retired and having fun. Some of the folks I most wanted to see sent word that they wouldn’t come because they were unhappy in high school. Breaking news: Everyone is unhappy in high school. The nature of adolescence is insecurity, anxiety, peer pressure, parental pressure, casual cruelty, unrequited lust, jealousy, zits, longing to be anywhere else, disastrous encounters with authority, fear, loathing and social gaffes. The best way to view it in retrospect: We suffered hell together and survived. ETHS was a very pleasant hell, though.

Next chapter: Moving to Paonia