How to Plan a High School Reunion
We may often wonder what our high school classmates are doing now. Long lost friends probably still come to mind several years later. You can find out if you plan a high school reunion. Although reunions can seem scary at first, It's highly probable that several people will want to attend. It's a great reason for contacting old acquaintances, those you wish you knew and old friends alike. Be prepared for all sorts of motivation in attendance. Some will want to show of success or family, but others will be extremely curious about what happened to everybody else. You may have one or two out for revenge. Be kind and considerate when contacting everybody. Some still may feel victimized by high school!
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Instructions
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Get help. Planning a reunion is huge undertaking. Recruit a neighbor, friend or former classmate to help you with all the leg work. It's best to get a former classmate. Former students may be taken aback if contacted by anybody other than a former classmate about this matter.
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Put together a graduating class master list. This can be compiled from the high school year book or school records. Use a copy of the list to keep track of who has been contacted. You can also make a copy for marking who has said no, yes or maybe.
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Call friends you keep in touch with. Ask them for any contact information they may have for former classmates. Use the phone book as well, keeping in mind that names may have changed.
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Try Websites like Facebook (located in our Resources section) for contacting old alumni. Once you find one classmate, click to see who is on his friend list. Chances, are, you'll find former classmates there. Click on those profiles. It will chain on from there.
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Rent a hall. Once you have a feel for how many people are going to attend, rent a hall at least twice that size. Folks will want to bring spouses or a guest.
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Plan the menu. Decide if you are serving a meal or simple refreshments. Maybe you want to include renditions of the cafeteria food that was all the rage when you were in high school.
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Book the entertainment. Hire a local band to play the top hits that were popular when you graduated.
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Plan any contests, games or activities you want your guests to engage in. Maybe a round of musical chairs is in order. Play pin the tail on the high school mascot. You're allowed to be silly. Gather all the supplies for your games well in advance of the big day.
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Send out details and reminders. Once you have all the details down, send out an official invitation to each classmate. Include details in the invitation. All registration and payment should be required in advance.
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Decorate. You'll want the hall to look festive, fun and filled with memories. Blow up some high school yearbook photos. Paste the photographs around the room. Festoon crepe paper in school colors from the rafters. Put a school patch as a centerpiece on each table. Make copies of the class and faculty list from your high school days and post them, too. Colored paper and big print can turn a boring list into an eye-catching conversation piece.
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Tips & Warnings
Set up a Website or blog for the reunion. Allow former classmates to log on, post photos or add information.
You may have to lay out your own cash to pay for everything until the registration fees start coming in.
Don’t hound people. If someone doesn't want to attend, respect his choice. High school is not a golden time for all.
Resources
- Photo Credit Illustration by Ryn Gargulinski
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Comments
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stevemar2
Jan 17, 2009
I am helping to plan the 10 year reunion of my high school class, and so far this article has been very helpful in terms of locating people. I've had the most success with Facebook. It's hard to find people on MySpace because some profiles are set to private. I tried Linkedin and was highly unsuccessful. The fact that some names have changed makes it hard. If you're locating people by using the resources listed, I think it helps if you can remember where people said they were going to attend college, keeping in mind that some (including myself) may have transferred. Super article! -
stevemar2
Jan 17, 2009
I am helping to plan the 10 year reunion of my high school class, and so far this article has been very helpful in terms of locating people. I've had the most success with Facebook. It's hard to find people on MySpace because some profiles are set to private. I tried Linkedin and was highly unsuccessful. The fact that some names have changed makes it hard. If you're locating people by using the resources listed, I think it helps if you can remember where people said they were going to attend college, keeping in mind that some (including myself) may have transferred. Super article!
