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“The High School Star Became Depressed” – The Most Shocking Transformations of Classmates

Szőke Angéla3 min read
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“The High School Star Became Depressed” – The Most Shocking Transformations of Classmates — Lifestyle
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Oops

Oops
The homeroom teacher’s son – a quiet guy – wasn’t at the reunion because he’s currently in prison for attempted murder.

An Unexpected Dark Turn

An Unexpected Dark Turn
The twentieth reunion was my first because I’d lived abroad for years. I was especially curious about a guy who used to be the school’s star. He played water polo, was handsome, charming, always in a good mood, and popular with the girls. I assumed he’d become a successful big shot. He wasn’t there because, as I later learned, he died by suicide shortly after college. I didn’t want to believe it, but a girl who dated him for years said he struggled with severe depression that few knew about.

The Kiss

The Kiss
The guy I shared my very first kiss with at freshman camp is now a professional drag queen living abroad.

Self-Acceptance

Self-Acceptance
The quiet, lonely girl who barely spoke to anyone blossomed into the life of the party at the reunion. At 25, she came out as a lesbian, lives in Luxembourg with her wife, and they have three dogs. She radiates happiness.

From Wolf to Lamb

From Wolf to Lamb
The worst troublemaker boy in elementary school – who was truly the mastermind behind every prank and mischief – surprisingly became a priest.

A 180-Degree Turn

A 180-Degree Turn
Everyone hated the class “mean girl,” even the boys were afraid of her sharp tongue. She picked fights for fun and her teasing words could leave deep emotional scars when she was in a bad mood. We even agreed in a private Messenger group that we’d prefer if she didn’t come to the reunion. But she showed up, and we barely recognized her: a kind, pleasant person who now fosters children and supports young people leaving care homes. She was the last person I expected to do such charitable work.

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

From Caterpillar to Butterfly
One of the rather plain girls from my elementary class became a successful model. She lives in London, and a quick search of her name brings up dozens of stunning photos. She couldn’t make it to the reunion because she was working in Japan.

From Loser to Big Player

From Loser to Big Player
Beni was one of the most awkward guys in class. Glasses, acne, skinny, too shy to even look at girls, he kept to himself and only talked to other similar “losers” about video games and “how many gigs their hard drives had.” At the reunion, he arrived in a huge BMW driven by his stunning girlfriend and insisted on paying for everyone’s drinks. It turned out he started a startup that was bought for so much money he probably never has to work again.

The Right Path

The Right Path
The school’s most carefree girl found her true love in Dubai, married a local man, and embraced Islam. She came to the reunion wearing a hijab, didn’t drink a drop of alcohol, and when I tried to talk to her, she said it wouldn’t be appropriate since I’m a man and her husband wouldn’t like it.

From Top Student to Homemaker

From Top Student to Homemaker
Eszti was the smartest girl in school, competing in academic contests, receiving extra attention from her chemistry and biology teachers, and dreamed of becoming a doctor. She easily got accepted to medical school. At the reunion, I barely recognized her. She got pregnant during her first semester, got married, never finished her studies, and became a full-time mom of four. I congratulated her on finding herself in motherhood, but after a few drinks, she tearfully said she still regrets not becoming a doctor and feels she never fully realized her potential.
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