Back in 1971, the Vietnam War was still going on. We were kids in high school, but in a short period of time, we knew that we would be thrown into the world.
Many of us had plans. Some, had no plans. The draft was hanging over all our heads, so we did not know what we could plan, or not plan.
I went to school for one year, after high school, and was notified that I would be drafted.
Three long years later...Maybe three short years… I was a young adult, and I was married. We returned to Portland, and there was no time to party, or to find the high school friends that were so close. It was difficult to accept that my world had disappeared.
At 10 years after graduation, we had our first high school reunion. That was the first time I’d seen most of my close, high school friends, since graduation. It was great. We could now stay in touch. We didn’t. The next reunion was at 20, (or 25) years. Not only did we not recognize each other, but we no longer knew each other. We’ve had no other reunions.
This is the legacy of Benson Tech graduates. We attended Benson, because we had an agenda. After high school, we still had an agenda. There was no time, or no need, for reunions. Now, I really miss a bunch of these folks.
My message to subsequent graduating classes, is, take the time to schedule your reunions. They’re important. 5-year intervals are not too frequent.
My other message is Thanks, to the folks that put this website together. I just discovered it yesterday. Although I’m the only graduate here, from 1971, I will continue to look in, and one day, I will find another classmate that misses me, too.
Wayne De Vore.