Missed class reunion moves online

Laney High School graduate Stephanie Sumner was disappointed when her high school class didn’t have a twenty-year reunion. So she figured if they can’t get together in person, why not re-connect on-line?

"It doesn’t matter how far away you are. When you’re online, you’re just as close as you are next door," said Sumner, who graduated Laney in 1987.

The advertising executive started a class of ’87 social networking page. To join, you have to answer all the usual questions, like where have you been? And, what have you been doing? Sumner says it’s no replacement for a traditional reunion, but it may be more helpful for keeping in touch.

“Actually it gives you the opportunity to see profiles of everybody in your class, rather than just focusing on those people you spent your time in high school with,” she said.

As social networking sites become more popular, more from Sumner’s generation seem to be logging on. Linked-In, a Facebook of sorts for business people, has more than 20 million subscribers. But apparently the trend hasn’t caught on with Laney graduates. So far, Sumner has only been able to connect with four classmates. She says the Facebook phenomenon is still new to her peers, and somewhat intimidating.

“One obstacle I’m having is with people my age that aren’t familiar with social networking and are a little hesitant to post information about themselves,” Sumner said.

Of course, she hopes that will change. So even if they live in different zip codes, her classmates are only a few clicks away.

Go to http://laneyclassof87.ning.com if you graduated Laney in 1987 and want to join the network.