I would describe myself as smart, musical, popular-adjacent, and busy until my junior year of high school.
A big deal at my high school in the town where I grew up were, “service clubs.” These were gender divided organizations sponsored by the Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc. While divided by gender the clubs were, “paired,” (interestingly usually not by sponsoring organization). Senior members got to choose a big brother/little sister. These could cross lines among clubs. Each of these organizations tended to draw different types of people. The selection process was akin to Greek rush/recruitment and not everyone got in. I was in the smart, “good girl,” group. But I had friends in the party girl group as well. Other high school activities were band (though I stopped after my sophomore year), NHS, and French Club. I tried out for the drill team but did not make it. I was also involved in a lot of extra curricular activities outside of high school - guitar lessons, dance lessons, cotillion, and both regular church attendance and church youth group. Around 650 in my class.
Until - my senior year of high school when we moved. Several states away and to a much smaller town with a much smaller high school. Academic offerings were fewer (no A/P classes), and my English and Math classes were repeats of what I’d done in the 11th grade. Calculus wasn’t offered. No French offered. I was in NHS and wrote for the school paper. I probably should have picked up band again when we moved, but I didn’t. 114 people in my graduating class.
Moving away for my senior year from the town I’d lived in my whole was tough. However, there was a benefit in being the new girl. Even though I wasn’t nearly as active, I was instantly brought into the popular group because my daddy was a doctor. One other positive was, while I had never dated at my former high school, I had a really wonderful steady boyfriend who was captain of the football team at the rival high school. That gave me the homecoming and prom dates I would have never had otherwise.
I have two good friends from my graduating high school with whom I stay connected. Many more from my true hometown high school. I have been to several reunions for both.