Re: Connecting Again

by Jim Grenier

I never much cared for high school. Frankly, I think it is absurd to celebrate my time in those dingy hallways, the assemblies, dodging hallway marshals (human fenceposts; even though I eventually became one) between classes, or the absurd stratification of groups within the student body.

I could care less to revisit much of my time as a student there. And though you might have thought I was a pretty good student, I was truly horrible, because, well, I didn’t care about most of my classes or teachers. I didn’t do much homework, never really studied. Yeah, sure, there were exceptions, but generally I’d consider most of my days there dismal.

So why would I chose to head up our latest class reunions? Glad you asked.

I cared about friends I made there and the ones I swept into freshman year with: classmates from the Currier School, friends from the IC, kids I knew from Boy Scouts. I felt fortunate to be able to hang out with almost any classmate and I still hold onto some of those strong bonds even to this day.

These days I even hang out with some classmates who I barely knew back in the day. I stayed local and have created many meaningful post-high school bonds. And I surely would enjoy having even more of them.

If I feel strongly about my classmate bonds, I figured you might too. If I can assist in strengthening those bonds, or reigniting them, or maybe being a catalyst towards new ones, then that’s why I do this. Knowing I can help is its own reward.

One facet of my basic philosophy is that if you see something that needs to be done and you can do it, make it happen.

And the rest of the Reunion Committee is in it for exactly the same reasons. We all want you to be with and to enjoy old friends.

As we grow older, some of our classmates have not made it this far. I lost my high school sweetheart and loving wife Lyn Sanborn two years ago. We also lost Billy Plante and our class president Denyce Collins around the same time. And there is a growing list of others. Our roster dwindles.

Would I like to see them all again? You bet!

So, if for no other reason to attend your 55th Class Reunion, this may be the last time some of us will be able to sit, chat, and press the flesh.

It may be your last chance to be seen and remembered. This is an opportunity to be with people who share your common past, your common place, and your unique experience. Don’t miss it.

So, don’t come because you attended NHS, come attend the event and be with some of your oldest friends.