Keeping up with the class of 1982

As people gather around the wooden tables covered in purple and gold decorations, old friends begin to greet each other, recalling memories both old and new. Although they graduated from MVHS 35 years ago, the class of 1982 has stayed in touch with each other after high school.

After seeing that many of the other MVHS graduating classes had Facebook groups, class of 1982 alum David Phelps decided to make a class page for his graduation year as well. He made the page last year and, according to Phelps, it quickly grew to 300 members out of a class of about 500. He reflected on the importance of keeping in touch with his former classmates and the role social media has played to allow them to continue their relationships.

While he did not keep in touch with MVHS as a school, Phelps says that he maintained contact with many of the other members of his class after he graduated.

“You have a history with these people, you know?” Phelps said. “A history from our youth. One thing that I’ve learned from my 52 years is that it goes by really fast, and as you look back on things, your memories serve you well. Many of these people I haven’t seen in 35 years, but it seems like I saw them two weeks ago.”

Carol Glasman also echoed Phelps’ sentiment about the importance of staying in touch with old friends. Although she too did not stay involved with the school itself, her loyalty to her alma mater has not waned over the years. One year, when the MVHS soccer team came up to her current home in Pacifica to play Terra Nova High School, for which Glasman’s son plays, she recalls being conflicted on which team to support.

“I remember saying to parents ‘I don’t know who to cheer for, should I cheer for my son’s team or should I cheer for my Alma Mater?’” Glasman said.

She drives by occasionally, sometimes stopping to walk around the campus and marvel at the drastic changes that have occurred in the 35 years since her graduation.

Although many have moved away and could not attend the reunion, Glasman has kept in touch with many of her close friends from high school because of the history they share.

“They understand where you’re coming from,” Glasman said. “I’ve known them for a really long time, so [if] something’s going on you know you can talk to them and they know exactly what’s going on.”

The extent of alumnus John Bortner’s involvement in the school itself is limited to wandering around the campus on weekends to see all the changes that have taken place. Although he hasn’t stayed involved with the school over the years, he is still in contact with a close group of friends he had when he was at MVHS, through phone calls, text messages and Facebook.

“[MVHS] helped shaped me, who I am,” Bortner said. “That’s what makes these people so important.”

From people who haven’t seen their classmates in 35 years to people who saw them last week, the atmosphere at Blackberry Farms was full of laughter and chatter. Though they graduated years ago, the connections the Class of 1982 made at MVHS still live on.

“You see them and it’s like no time has passed,” Glasman said. “You just pick up right where you left off from.”