by Lisa Ramos Wilcox, ’77 | 20 Feb 2026
A friend couldn’t believe I was going to yet another high school reunion. “I’m surprised,” she said. “You’re such an introvert.”
She’s not wrong.
Every year for my birthday, I ask my husband for the same gift: two or three nights alone at an Airbnb — just me, my Bible, my journal, a stack of unread books, and a bag of peanut M&Ms (non-negotiable for any getaway, solo or not). I always come home refreshed.
Oddly, our Wagner 75-80 reunions do the same thing for me.
I return rejuvenated — filled with nostalgia and just a hint of homesickness.
Introverts usually avoid large gatherings, especially among strangers. But Wagner isn’t strangers. I may not know everyone, but I recognize the faces. Like any high school, we had our cliques — our barkada, as we say in Tagalog — shaped by interests and activities. Maybe it sounds naïve, but in my mind, I believe we all got along anyway, regardless of what group we belonged to. And at our reunions, those lines disappear. For one weekend, we’re simply one — the graduating classes of ’75-’80, together again.
That’s why I was among the first to say yes to this upcoming reunion.
These aren’t just well-organized events. They’re moments we shouldn’t assume will always be there. Life moves fast. We’re getting older. And as the lyrics to a Seals & Croft song from our Wagner days keeps playing in my head:
We may never pass this way again…
I hope you’ll join us in San Antonio this October. Introvert or extrovert — you’ll belong the moment you walk in. And you’ll have one of the best weekends of your life.
See you there.
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6 Responses
Exactly how I feel! Thank you for expressing this so well, Lisa! Looking forward to seeing you in October!
You too, Cindy. Wow – it has been way too long since I last saw you!
Exactly! And, I’m hoping that your sister will be there too! I’m excited to see everyone again, as I have passed up too many changes of getting together because I have been too busy doing life, kids, work, etc… Now, for a new chapter! See you there!
Gosh, this sounds like me! While I’ve had to be outgoing in work situations, I am truly an introvert in other situations. I love spending time by myself enjoying peace and quiet where I can think and reflect on life. I’ve only been to one reunion and I feel the pull to attend this one but, I find myself wondering if anyone will remember me. What will I have in common with people I haven’t seen since I graduated? It encourages me to hear that an introvert can have fun, make connections, and feel rejuvenated by attending.
Hi Robin – I wasn’t sure I remembered you by name, so I looked you up on the whoa.org site since you weren’t in either of my yearbooks (’75 and ’77). I definitely recognize your younger photo, though. I’m not sure why you weren’t in the class photo section of the 77 yearbook. That said, since you graduated from Wagner, I think you might be surprised by how many people will remember you.
I understand the introvert side. I’m one too. I just have learned to be “outgoing” out of necessity.
I don’t recall your name from any of our 75–80 reunions. Are you sure it was one of ours? There are other reunions that are open to all classes, and I’ve heard they feel very different. Ours are usually larger, but still more intimate in many ways because everyone there is from the classes of ’75–’80. Lots of familiar faces, and everyone is friendly. The groupings that form aren’t necessarily the same as they were back then — people mix in ways you wouldn’t expect. It’s a very easy group to step into — heck, there are a lot of people with whom I have since become real friends as a result of these reunions.
If you’re on the fence, I’d really encourage you to come — esp. since most of us are pretty sure it’ll be the last.
Hi Myrna,
I was in the Class of ’78 which is probably why you couldn’t find me in the ’77 yearbook. I attended the 2006 San Diego reunion which was pretty cool. I may bring my brother who was originally class of ’77 but ended up graduating early in December of 78 so he’s technically class of ’78 also.
I really do want to attend so…thanks for the encouragement.