The turn of the century brought new technology, feelings, and ideas for what’s to come. 

Alumni Rebecca “Becky” Reitterer from the class of 2003 was in the midst of all of these during her high school experience. 

Reitterer was actively involved during her years at the school. She was a member of the soccer team, as well as field hockey. She was also awarded “Best Smile” in the yearbook’s superlative section. 

As for clubs, she believes that the times have changed. 

“I don’t remember kids being as involved in clubs as they are now. Also, there were not nearly as many to participate in,” Reiterrer shared.  

Now, our school houses almost 40 different organizations that students are free to join during their four years. It’s certainly become more accessible for students to submerge themselves and fully experience high school since Reitterer’s time. 

Other than this, she feels that her high school experience was “ordinary,” and that it included the average components that come with teenage years. 

Post-graduation, Reitterer hadn’t planned on pursuing post-secondary education; however, her parents insisted that in order to figure out her life path, she needed to take one class per semester. 

This initiative set the stepping stones for her future career as a Registered Nurse (RN).

While easing into this goal, Reitterer worked as a waitress. At the time, Reiterrer believed that she was making “great money.” She was able to go to a vocational technical school and receive her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. 

Then, after a few years of work and study, Reitterer paid off her RN school with cash, allowing her to graduate debt-free. 

“[It] was an amazing feeling,” Reiterrer boasted. 

Reiterrer observed life lessons through her surrounding peers at school. As she grew up, she watched the paths that some of her old friends had chosen, and these made her realize what she didn’t want her life to look like. 

Since high school, Reitterer’s priorities and goals have grown to be different. Her goals right after graduation were clearly to work extensively to become an RN. Yet, time with her family is becoming more important as the years go on. 

“My goal now is to work as little as possible so I can be home with my family as much as possible. I want to be around for all the little mundane things in life,” said Reitterer. Nonetheless, her goals are ever changing throughout the days, months, and years. 

As her goals change, so do the trends of the time. 

Reiterrer didn’t comment on her attire; however, new fashion trends were on the rise in the early 2000s. A few common ones were as follows: low-rise jeans, small handbags, shield sunglasses, crystal-filled clothing, and dresses over pants. 

Trends go through cycles of in and out, based on what the youth of the current generation believes should make a comeback. Nowadays, you will see teenagers carrying around tiny purses with their low-rise jeans on. Some things never change!

The Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2003 may not exactly match up with the current ones, but some similarities are still present. For example, singers like Avril Lavigne, Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce are still relevant now, and two out of three continue to release new hits. 

To those who lived their teenhood and early adulthood in the early 2000s, the times are coming back around. Reiterrer’s 2003 persona would fit right in here at KD in 2024.