The Pace Academy class of 2024 is graduating this year and many are applauding the grade for their widespread friendship with each other. Students in this grade have been open-minded to the idea of making new friends, while withdrawing from judgment.
The senior class was not always unified. Many seniors say a switch in the friendships really occurred coming into senior year. The dean of this grade, Mrs. Caitlin Terry, was lucky enough to be a part of this journey. “After the school experience with Covid 2020-2022 with social distancing and masks, I think the class of 2024 really took advantage of their junior and senior years socially, and I saw that in action in the commons, lower library, and cafeteria. I think they observed a lot, including how previous senior classes celebrated their senior year,” Mrs. Terry explained. “We’re all one big friend group,” said senior Vivian Kohn.
In recent Pace culture, classes have become divided into specific friend groups, leaving the opportunity to make more friends behind. Nonetheless, many Pace students are perfectly content in these clicks. While connecting with everyone would be an amazing accomplishment for any class, it is important to note that many high schools are divided, not just Pace. The senior class became unified when they left most judgment behind and became open to meeting new people. “I think that the senior class has had some division, as most grades do, but overall it’s been a balanced class where students often rally around the same events,” remarked class of 24′ student George Thompson. “This year further unified us around a commonality: being seniors.”
Why should a class strive to become more connected? Throughout life, people have to meet and understand different people’s points of views. Students may be restricting themselves by only getting to know a select amount of people, because they will lose out on valuable perspectives from people they may not know. Trying to actively learn more about someone new is contributing to a better class and a better world. In a world that already feels distant and harsh enough, a contributor of kindness can make a large difference in making someone feel happier and more secure.
Mrs. Terry summarized some major events that brought the seniors together. “They intentionally started their senior year experience with spreading joy – 24K Magic! I heard that the peer leaders were exceptional on the Freshman Retreat (something the class of 2024 didn’t get to experience) and the rafting trip was a lot of fun, which carried over into senior tailgates (shoutout to the burger master, Will Moore), and the creation of the Color Wars for the whole school.” These events seem to have been great opportunities for the class to bond, and the students took advantage of it.
As well, Mrs. Terry advises future classes to learn from the class of 2024 and their high school experience. “You can’t count on “normal” activities and traditions happening, so be prepared to create your own and make every day count.”
