The Southern Yankee by Sue Ellen Ross

This last month of summer seems to the time for reunions and gatherings of family, friends, and schoolmates. Many people look forward to them, while others dread the get-togethers.

I am of the former persuasion.

Everyone at my 10-year high school class reunion had such a wonderful time. Although the majority of classmates weren’t best friends, or even kept in touch with each other, the atmosphere was jovial. The food was great, we had a live band and everyone danced till the wee hours. I even won a cash door prize.

We couldn’t wait for the next milestone party, but it was never to be.

The reunion committee tried for a 20-year gala, with very little luck. Of the class roster of more than 400 students, only about 30 replied to attend.

Then we tried a 30-year reunion. Again, not much response, although I suggested a multi-class reunion (two or three different graduation years) but my idea fell on deaf ears.

This year would have been the 40th-year celebration for Hammond Technical Vocational High School Class of 1964. I am so sad to again see another summer reunion-season go by and no word from the Tech reunion committee.

I don’t know what everyone is waiting for, none of us are getting any younger, and I have so much to tell my classmates.

When I was in high school, I was never taken very seriously, either by others or myself. I was an average student, with no high career aspirations like some of the others, and I was voted ‘most talkative.’

If I did mention the possibility of furthering my education, my classmates would laugh and say, “What will you get – a degree in typing?” I never took their teasing seriously, after all, these were high school days and we were all very silly then.

Those doubting-Thomas classmates would be in shock now if they knew I have a college degree under my belt, and pen my own newspaper column. I consider myself a serious writer and interviewer; and my ‘most talkative’ abilities have come in very handy, thank you.