Cohorts. According to definition, it is a group of people with a shared characteristic, or divides people into groups with shared characteristics. Division. That’s the way our Class of 2024 started high school, grouped together by the first initial of our last name. Thanks to COVID, I was only able to meet others in my classes whose last name began with A-M, otherwise known as Cohort A. Who was Cohort B? That would have to wait until April.  

Since classes were small and infrequent, I found it challenging to meet and get to know new classmates. So I joined clubs that stretched over both cohorts. I was welcomed into Best Buddies immediately, and started to make connections with others that lasted throughout high school. During the next few years, I met new classmates and friends through clubs and activities, including DECA, the Harbinger and ski team. I know many classmates that were able to join other Algonquin clubs, and use the activities as a way to meet others and expand friendships in a time where our classrooms were so limiting. Eventually, the classrooms fully opened, the sports schedules increased and the masks dropped; the clubs and after-school activities remained inclusive and vibrant.

Our class had to find ways to engage with peers and make meaningful contributions to our school community. While the pandemic presented obstacles, such as cohorts, it also taught us communication and the importance of adaptability. Whether it was participating in virtual events, collaborating on projects remotely or simply reaching out to classmates online, we all tried to remain connected and involved. Clubs gave us a platform to all come together. 

As I reflect on my high school journey, I realize that while the circumstances were different, the experiences and relationships formed during this time will remain valuable for years to come. The cohort divisions may have separated us, but they also fostered a sense of camaraderie and unity among my classmates, reminding us of the importance of coming together outside of the classroom. We had to find unique and different ways to connect with each other from the first day on, unlike previous classes ahead of us. As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons learned during this challenging time, thankful for the connections made and the memories created despite the circumstances given. And yes, I did eventually learn all the rest of my classmates with the last names N-Z, and I am grateful to have done so. So long, Algonquin.