Greetings

Welcome Topeka West High School Class of 1968. We have created this webpage (blog) to keep you informed about the 40th Reunion planned for June 20-21, 2008. It's also a great way for you all to connect with old, old, old friends ! Remember if you like to read about your old friends and classmates it's only fair that YOU post information about yourself and what you've been doing for the last 40 years!!! It's ok to brag a little...or make up a little...who would know??If you don't remember high school...it's ok..after all it was the 60s! Add your comments and what you do remember and maybe one of your classmates can fill you in about what you missed!!!

To see the comments your classmates have left just click on the "comments" at the bottom of each Topic or "post" . Read what your friends have said and then add your comment. To do this, type in the "Leave your comment" white box....it will hold all you want to say. Then you have to do the word verification to make sure you are not a terrorist or something. Then you "choose an identity" by clicking on whatever circle you choose. Most of us have checked the "name/url" one and just put in our nickname or first name and last initial or whatever you want..leave "url" blank...what does that mean anyway??. (I have no idea what the other options mean or how they work but if you want to use one of those options ..live it up.)Don't forget to hit "Publish " or it will not be "saved". You can add comments as often as you would like....the point is to have fun and get to know each other again. (If you add something and then really don't want it there I can make it go away. Just let me know.)

PLEASE contact anyone that you know from the class and let them know about the reunion and this site. Don't assume that we have contacted them....we're missing LOTS of classmate's information and we don't want to leave anyone out.

CLICK ON "OLDER POSTS" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE to see the invitation, pictures and the list of "lost" classmates.

The Last 40 Years..Where have you been?

This is where you tell us where you have been for the last 40 years! Where have you lived? Hobbies? Jobs? Family? Past/Present/Future....we want to know all about you. High school was a long time ago...none of us are the same people...share who you are now...and what plans you have for the next 40 years! Each and every one of us has a "story"..share yours.

OLD--Gossip, News, Updates and Stuff

THIS IS OLD GOSSIP FROM BEFORE THE REUNION...I DONT WANT TO DELETE IN CASE SOME HAVE NOT READ IT...BUT PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO IT ANYMORE.

It's not really gossip as long as it's not mean is it?? Or....as good southern women know-you can say anything you like as long as you say "bless her heart" after it ! !

We just needed a place to put tidbits that don't seem to fit anywhere else. Anyone is welcome to add comments here. We will try to keep you posted on what the committee is doing and how plans for the actual event are coming along.

This section is kind of like the "junk drawer" that most of us have that holds everything that doesn't "live" anywhere else.

Could Vancouver Jan and Under the Sheets Man be one in the same?

Remember When??

Here is where all those memories go!! You know... who got caught in the parking lot without a pass, who had the best party with the parents out of town, what year the football team went undefeated..(did that happen?), where you hid the answers to the chemistry test, who was your first crush, what was actually in the brownies that you made for the substitute teacher, what went on after prom, well you get the picture. Now don't be mean....there may still be some things that should be kept secret even after 40 years.....but hopefully after this many years we can all look back and laugh! We know you can't remember what you had for breakfast or where those damn keys are but we bet everyone has a few favorite memories to share. You can also ask your old classmates to help you fill in the gaps....you'd be surprised what others remember about YOU!!!

Something in Common

It's interesting how many classmates have told us "I really didn't have many friends" or "I wasn't in the "in" crowd or "I don't remember very many people from high school". It makes you wonder if at 16 or 17 most of the "kids" that we went to school with felt that way. Is it part of being a teenager and a sort of "grass is always greener" thing? Did it look like everyone but you had more friends, more money, better car, cuter clothes, got better grades, etc.

A big part of attending reunions is the friends, there is no doubt. But there is something else. These are the people that also share the experiences of a generation. We grew up in the 60's. Most of us think that's pretty cool. We're baby boomers...the biggest and most influential generation...ever. When you attend a reunion like the one that is planned in June, you have an opportunity to not only get together with old friends but you have an opportunity to share experiences. Even if you don't recognize a single person..(not likely, although we've all aged) We all know the words to the same songs, we remember the dances, the politics, the clothes, the movies, the teachers. We went to the same "night spots" ( if you want to call Gage Bowl and Seabrook Tavern night spots, and some do). We remember when JFK was shot, Bobby Kennedy was shot and Martin Luther King was killed. We remember Viet Nam. We've all had dreams come true and some shattered. We raised kids through experiences that we could not have imagined. We are experiencing the loss of parents and friends. Many of us are experiencing the joys of being grandparents. There is not one of us that has not experienced the joys and sadness that comes with living to 57 or 58...yet we're here.

If you've been to previous reunions you know that they can be fun. If you have not been to a reunion, you should think about attending, you will be surprised how much you enjoy it. We have lost many classmates--two, the first week of March. There is no better reminder that life is short and we should not take a single minute for granted. Please try to attend both nights..you'll need the time to visit with everyone. If you can't attend, be sure to add your informtion. We want to know about you. With e-mail, cell phones, computers and frequent flyer miles you can stay in touch with friends from down the street or on the other side of the world. Don't miss this opportunity...it may not come again.

"In Memory Of"

In this area we will list those classmates that, to our knowledge, are no longer with us. Although they are no longer here we want to be sure that they are remembered by those that knew them. If you have information about anyone please contact Margo so that we can be sure the list is accurate.