20th HS Reunion

Not sure how it happened, but it has officially been 20 yrs since I graduated from Round Rock High School in 1999.  As the song goes, we sure partied like its 1999, ha!  We started the weekend events celebrating in downtown RR at 3 local venues owned by one of our classmates. We had appetizers and drinks and were able to walk around the different areas as a group. My favorite part of the evening was seeing all the friendly faces for the first time in many years. For some, it had been 20 years. Every time I turned around I smiled knowing I was surrounded by friends who made such an impact on me growing up. Saturday morning was a big hit as Jeff Nicholas and I arranged a tour of the High School for our classmates and staff.  Round Rock Donuts donated 14 dozen donuts for the event which were a HUGE hit. We spent several hours walking the halls (some were almost unrecognizable) and chatting about old classes.  Highlights included taking a picture with classmates on "the stage" (this was our hangout area in the mornings before school and also where all our spirit circles took place on game days, seeing the infamous Mrs. Hilsabeck (one of my most memorable teachers), laughing at how the payphones have been taken out, not stepping on the dragon tile when you first walk in the 100 building, laughing at how the students have a new cafeteria and 2 libraries, watching Mr. Cromwell do a handstand in the gymnastics gym, walking through the "Field House" where lots of Basketball and Volleyball games were held, and noticing how the school smelled the same with a musty odor.  After the tours, most classmates went across the street to eat at Hoody's which has been a local favorite and sandwich shop for 30 years.  We decided to rest up during the afternoon as we had to be back to help set up for the evening festivities at 5pm.  It was a fantastic 1920's themed event at the historic Woodbine Mansion on Main Street. The mansion was not open to the public while we were growing up, but has recently been restored and was the perfect location to celebrate 20 years. While the band played, we enjoyed heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks. The decorations were amazing by a classmate, Amber Craig Schepper.  Other classmates set up a memorabilia room and a memory table of classmates that have passed before us.  Outside on the lawn, we had several large tables and candle lights set up for an outside slideshow of pictures.  After the slideshow, we had a toast with all 150 guests before singing our alma matter, "High Above Ole Brushy's Waters". It was a time of remembrance and a walk down memory lane. With 2 photo booths, there was no excuse not to have the evening documented in style! So many laughs and memories that I cannot wait for our next reunion!