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| 30th Reunion: Lisa and Lindsay Donnelley: Happiness |
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It all began with an email from Kenny Dahl on February 10, 2008. Which, as I think about it, is appropriate on two fronts: one, because the first computer bulletin board system (BBS, the grandaddy of email) was created exactly thirty years ago (in the year 1978); and two, because K.D. was always the de facto leader of the Walter Panas High School Class of 1978.
Kenny sent the message to about thirty former classmates for whom he had a semi-current email address: he was looking for volunteers to help set up the 30-year WPHS Class of '78 Reunion. I hadn't heard from, nor made much of an effort, to contact any of my high school classmates in the last twenty years, possibly even thirty. (Keeping in touch never was my strong suit, and high school was mostly a series of bad memories for me). But for some odd reason I was interested, and I took Kenny's message as a call to arms -- might be because K.D. is a military man...I dunno.
Others responded to K.D.'s initial email, an ad hoc committee was formed, and several good things came about as a result. One result of that initial email was this website, designed to attract former classmates to the 30th high school Reunion (now past). It was put together by a computer illiterate who didn't like high school (me), for a graduating class that was notoriously unresponsive (you and me), during a particular period (mid to late 2008) which saw all of us sliding fast into an economic and social quagmire best mirrored by the last time we were all together (the 1970's).
In other words, the whole thing had every reason not to succeed. But it did succeed; it was a marvelous success. And it succeeded for the following very important reason: Friendships. This website, and the reunion itself, is the result of people (Friends) reaching out to each other, and sending forward kind wishes, messages, photos, personal updates, helpful and newsworthy information, etc. It was built one small peice at a time, through and by a network, a community of Friends.
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| 30th Reunion: Roselyn Garrett, Kenny DaRos, Rose Calcutti, Donna Shelley |
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It all culminated in a great party on November 29, 2008. And what a party it was...
Which, as I think about it, is also appropriate on two fronts: one, because of the many talents of the Walter Panas High School Class of 1978 (including having the best Debating Team in the whole darned country), we were particularly adept at throwing great parties. And two, we are clearly sliding into an economic and social quagmire which bears an uncanny resemblance to the last time we were all together (the 1970's), and if we are about to relive the '70's (and I hope we're not), then throwing a great party is an appropriate, and time-honored, response.
Notice I use the word "culminated" above, rather than "ended". It is not over; it hasn't ended. Remember, the stated purpose of this website was "to serve as a bridge that will connect us to the (upcoming) 30th reunion, and assist us to remain connected afterwards".
Let's stay connected: We will continue to run this site as long as you continue to send us material for it.
And soon enough, we will all reunite for another great party. Count on it.
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| Pre-Party: John King, Ann Andrews, Matty Moro |
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