BACK TO SCHOOL
Steven Rice

This past weekend I was back in high school. Most people never want to return to high school. In fact, many people spend a lot of money trying to forget high school.

But I went back. I assume an explanation is in order. My wife was more popular than I in high school. Even though we went to different high schools in different states, we both ran for a senior class office.

She was elected, I was not. But even though I licked my wounds 10 years ago for not climbing to the esteemed office of senior class president, I am now quite thankful that I didn't win.

Here's a note to all aspiring student body

leaders: election to senior class president looks

great on college applications, but beware that it will be up to you to plan your high school reunions. So while I am waiting for an invitation to my high school reunion, my wife had to plan hers. Chalk one up for the unpopular kids!

I assumed that a decade of maturity and life experience might season the class of 1997 and a reunion would be a jolly ole time of reflection and reminiscence. I assumed wrong.

For two nights in sunny Florida, I was back in high school. Even though it was not my high school and these were not my classmates, the same groups of people I graduated with 10 years ago showed up to this reunion.

The popular kids were there in their spiffy outfits and luxury cars, showing pictures of their children and talking about their vacation homes.

The jocks were there, checking their cell phones for text messages on the Yankees/Red Socks game. The "studious ones" were there acting just like they did 10 years ago (only now they have PhDs).

The misfits were there still acting like misfits. The cliques were there; the cupped hands over ears whispering gossip about that girl over there, "You did hear about what happened to her didn't you?" The geeks and outcasts that bloomed over ten years showed up with their trophy dates showing everyone that ever cracked a joke what they missed out on.

There was even a celebrity there (this is where my wife's high school and mine walk apart). My wife went to high school with Tracy McGrady, the multi-million dollar basketball star with the Houston Rockets. He was nice enough to fly in on his private jet for the festivities. I asked him if he wanted to make a donation to St Michael's. "I've got a stained glass window that would be perfect with your face on it." He declined. The Methodists beat me to it.

At the end I congratulated my wife on a job well done but told her I'm glad I'm not back in high school with all the drama, cliques, divisions, and everything else that comes with being a teenager. She responded with a grand nugget of wisdom, "Isn't all of life like high school?" By Jove, I think she's right.

You can reach the Rev. Steve Rice, rector, St Michael's Episcopal Church, Waynesboro, Ga. www.episcopalians.info.