While assessing the files I want to save from my laptop, I found the transcript from District Debate 1997 (almost 7 years ago). After reading that, I realized that we NEED a debate reunion for all the debaters from classes 98-00 (some stragglers from 97 and 01 would most likely be welcome - it might be fun to see how Mr. Grumpypants turned out). Here are my suggestions:

schedule a reunion for a time when most people will be in Rapids (meaning in the 4 days surrounding Christmas) at a place with the most amount of space.

Send out invitations encouraging but not requiring people to bring a significant guest* (just one**), and food (a pot-luck is always fun and cheaper for planners). Be sure to invite Frenzel but we will probably want some frenzel free time. She may no longer be our teacher but I don't know how keen she is to hanging out with a bunch of (I'm assuming) increasingly intoxicated 21-23 year-olds. (our age differences seem so much smaller now)

We may want to set up some kind of online discussion system - this blog would be fine

Have people RSVP. We may also what to think about assessing possible interest before proceeding. (that is my classes starting to rub off on me)

Plans for the event itself:
-We should have a tape (like at district)
-would impossible tasks be feasible?
-should we have detailed plans or just let everybody talk?


*This may be problematic considering one time when a former debater did bring a guest to an event with other former debaters and problems arose resulting in his (very necessary) departure. However, with that noted, part of any reunion is to see where people are in their lives and bringing a spouse or serious partner would be a part of that. At the least, I would like to meet Abe's wife or the woman (or maybe man... we don't know ;]) that Mark possibly pinned down (not meant to be sexual). It would also be interesting for the spouse/partner to see what their loved one did in high school. I was also contemplating arrangements that could be made to not allow certain people to bring other people (ie. lie in the invitations).
**Just one guest (I am assuming that the debaters have not taken up polygamy) and not any friends or siblings. I mean I wouldn't mind having some extra people, but this would be a debate event, and part of my idea is to re-create the 'cast' of our debate years. Plus space will not be unlimited, especially if it is going to happen in winter.


I really would like to see a reunion happen. Judging from the weddings this summer, it would be very fun. I know there will be some notable exceptions... right now I'm thinking Dan and John Henry and I know Sig couldn't find Josh... but if it goes well, there could be future reunions? I don't know. Anyway, its time for me to go to work which means posting this and switching computers.