Michele Bender | To go, or not to go to reunions

To paraphrase Mr. William Shakespeare, “To go, or not to go ... that is the question.”

Family and class reunions offer opportunities to reconnect with relatives and former classmates. My kin, almost all departed, made the Addams family look like the Waltons.

Plus, not everyone has warm and fuzzy memories of their alma maters. The choice is yours.

Three weeks ago, I attended the 55th reunion of Johnstown High School, Class of 1969. The events filled two evenings, both held at This Is It on Frankstown Road in Johnstown.

Because he knew that I planned to write a column about reunions, JJ Martin, administrator of the popular Facebook site “Johnstown Pa. My Hometown,” allowed me to tag along.

I write columns for them, too.

I didn’t graduate with them, but discovered we had a lot in common.

First, we were alive. High school graduations for the Baby Boomer generation peaked in the late ’60s to mid-’70s Pennsylvania when 80% of seniors earned diplomas.

That number dwindled since due to wars, a flood, that pesky pandemic and natural consequences of aging.

Some folks simply live too far away for a pilgrimage to relive glory days. Others, whose days weren’t so glorious, recall bullying and humiliations, nurse grudges and stay home.

Johnstown High pride sparkled that evening as guests recalled sports victories, music and drama performances, and classroom antics. One gentleman, serving as emcee, out ‘Sajak-ed’ the “Wheel of Fortune” host. His wife filled in adequately as Vanna.

JJ captivated the audience singing “I Gotta Be Me.”

Planners presented prizes for class members’ outstanding accomplishments: longest marriage, most grandchildren, achievements in higher education – college, master’s degrees, Ph.D.s, etc. Additional awards honored travel experiences, artistic endeavors, professional milestones and humanitarian efforts.

My tablemates shared fascinating tales. No one brooded over high cholesterol, creaky joints, or silver hair.

Sacred ’60s and ’70s tunes blared and we “kids” frugged, twisted, monkeyed and shook our tailfeathers.

As a retired teacher, I often receive invitations to reunions.

Having “satisfied customers” delights me.

Greater Johnstown Area Vocational-Technical High School, as it was known, offered academics, technical and vocational training under one roof, an educational innovation.

Beside typical teenage angst and raging hormones, teens toted a lot of emotional baggage during the turbulent ’70s. Our school forged lasting friendships transcending geography and age differences.

Acceptance triumphed over diversity as city kids blended with rurals. Tenth-, 11th- and 12th-graders perfected their talents together in shops and labs.

They prepared for the world of work in a city well known as an ethnic melting pot.

All-class reunions seem destined to replace traditional “quinquennial” (every five years) fetes, probably a good thing because my mouth isn’t big enough to say that word.

The 2022 All-Class Vo-Tech reunion supplied me with precious, touching memories I cherish. I’m looking forward to the upcoming ’74 bash in July, and a picnic with my ’79s in August.

The convenience of social media in our daily lives keeps us connected to “auld acquaintances.”

Here are my observations.

Student ties extend far beyond the “shadow of the mountain with the stream meandering by ... .”

That evening, the celebrants embodied the result of what public education was meant to be. Distinguished, successful boomers who loyally held jobs, earned honest livings, raised families and saluted one another.

In adolescence, they found anchors in parents, relatives, friends, neighbors and spiritual values.

Repeating what I’ve said before, I believe that bigger, while it might be cheaper, isn’t always better.

In my opinion, the demise of neighborhood schools led to the breakdown in public education today.

Sigh. I still made you smile, right?

Treasure your memories.