I recently was invited to be a part of the committee that is planning our (gulp) 25-year class reunion. After some thought and a bit of hesitation I decided to go as I have attended other class reunions and figured it was only fair to help with one. The whole experience proved to me that some things and people never change. 

 The two main people taking on this endeavor looked less then thrilled to see me since we were not pals in high school. There was no discussion as to where and when, they had decided. We were asked to join with the class ahead of us and do a joint class reunion, which again had been decided by the two in charge. Of course I am sure the fact their spouses being in the other class had nothing to do with the decision. 

 Later another of my old classmates showed up and she looked even less thrilled to see me. Several times through the evening she boasted as to the fact that she has no trappings such as children and a spouse. I am happy for her, really, but I wasn't about to apologize for the fact that I am married with children. 

  The evening progressed and we did have a good time, relaxing a little as a few more showed up to be a part of the committee. At one point we were discussing any faculty that we might want to invite to the reunion as well and I mention our senior Social Studies teacher who I learned a lot from. The rest voted a loud "no" and one commented, "She had something against any students who had prominent families."  Well guess it was a good thing my family was nobodies or I might not have gotten "A's."

 The whole experience was kind of eye opening, and made me feel sorry for some present. I mean here it is 25 years later and they still feel and remember the divisions that occurred in my class in high school. 

 My hometown is a rural community very much like those in Tioga County, and at the school there was a division between the town kids or "townies" and the country kids, those of us living on the outlying farms. Our parents were hard working farmers, and most of the businesses in the town were geared toward the farmers who basically supported and still do the main supporting of the town. Without the farmers I don't think there would be much left of my hometown. Even with all the doctors and lawyers, their main patients and clients are farmers. 

 Many of my old classmates stayed in my hometown, to become "big fish in a small pond" so to speak, but they haven't learned much if they still treat others like they are less. Somewhere along the way wouldn't you have thought they would have learned we are all equal. 

   Most of the time high school seems even farther away then 25 years, it seems a life time ago yet seeing some of my old classmates and how they haven't changed made it seem like time stood still for them.. Think about it, how long have you been out of school and do you think you have changed?

 I know I have, I would like to think I am a lot smarter, and hopefully more compassionate since I am working with teens in a high school right now and I hear the cruelties. We were small minded and bad-mouthed bad then, I am proud to say most of us grew up and got nicer. To those that did not, I hope you get out of your time warp soon.