08/23/2026
We kicked off the Paradise High School Class of 1981 reunion weekend at a PHS football game, and during halftime, they asked our class cheerleaders and football players to come onto the field. Letās just sayā¦ 45 years later, we may not look young, but we DEFINITELY still know how to have fun! And yes, there I was, waving my pom-poms like it was 1981 all over again! (Thank Carrie Max for sharing!)
We also celebrated the beautiful remodel of PHS after the devastating Camp Fire of 2018. And next month, our Paradise football team will travel to Maui to play Lahainaluna High School, whose community also lost its high school in the Lahaina fire.
Two communities who both experienced devastating fires coming together. Paradise to Paradiseā¦ united!
Then came the dinner and party last night. We dressed up, laughed, and celebrated LIFE. I gotta tell you, besides in my own mastermind retreats, Iāve never experienced what happened nextā¦
Carl Chapin and the reunion team created something really special. Everyone stood up and had a few minutes to share something unique, funny, challenging, or remarkable about their life.
We heard everything from sobriety and surviving divorce to international adventures, meeting celebrities, million-dollar and billion-dollar companies, and stories that could have kept us there all night.
And it was REAL connection. Thereās something incredibly powerful about hearing the real stories of people you spent four years growing up with.
For TWO HOURS, we listened, laughed, sometimes got emotional, and celebrated one another. No screening the stories. Just REAL, raw stories.
And every story mattered.
Maybe thatās what we need more of in this world: spaces where people can come together and simply share the REAL story of their lives.
REAL connection around stories of REAL life.
Paradise High School, Class of 1981. We may have graduated 45 years ago, but this weekend reminded me that some things never get old:
REAL friendships.
Iām incredibly proud and honored to be a PHS graduate. š©µ
