Making Up for Lost Time: The Class of 2020 are Ready to Reconnect!

The HTS Class of 2020 graduated in a way no one could have predicted—right in the heart of pandemic lockdowns. For a class that missed out on many of the traditional final year milestones, the opportunity to reconnect is now more important than ever.

We are excited to share that two members of the Class of 2020, Grace Butler and Qaylun Sunderji, have recently stepped forward to serve as Class Representatives. Now that most of their peers have completed their university degrees, Grace and Qaylun are committed to bringing their grade back together.

“I still remember the last day of school we had in person in Grade 12; we were all looking forward to March break, especially knowing we would come back in two weeks with a fresh sense of anticipation for prom and graduation,” says Grace. “When lockdown was first extended, it definitely made us anxious. Once a few more weeks had passed and we had started to accept the fact that we wouldn't get to finish high school like we had hoped, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who felt isolated and disappointed – like we had been wrongfully robbed of such monumental milestones.”

Qaylun points out that “while there were attempts to ensure that we were doing things virtually beyond just attending classes, it wasn’t the same. I think many of us also felt isolated from one another. All the changes that we were experiencing in such a short amount of time, coupled with the loss of our Grade 12 year, was overwhelming, and it made it very difficult to keep in touch with many of my peers virtually.”

Having now experienced their five-year reunion with most of their classmates having finished their post-secondary studies, both Grace and Qaylun are keen to continue to bring their class back together in meaningful ways.

“Even though we are now 5+ years removed from it, there are still some lingering feelings of regret and loss,” says Qaylun. “We never got to say our goodbyes, to wish each other good luck for the future, to find out where everyone was going after HTS. We never got to properly celebrate our group’s accomplishments or properly experience that transition as a group from classmates to the Alumni Class of 2020.”

With busy schedules themselves, Grace and Qaylun are great examples of a new era of HTS alumni: those who have come out of the pandemic and in a turbulent world, find purpose and value in reconnecting with their HTS roots.

Qaylun goes on to say that “while we can’t have, and at this point probably don’t want, a prom, or a proper graduation ceremony, we do still have opportunities to reconnect and achieve greater closure through HTS Alumni events. I know for some it may feel daunting to come out and to see so many people who you haven’t talked to in years, but I for one look forward to seeing as many of my classmates and friends at these events as possible.

Grace simply notes that an “opportunity to honour the goodbye we never had, with a hello 5 years later, would definitely be meaningful.”

Class reps like Grace and Qaylun are tasked with helping HTS stay caught up with their grade: from life updates (trips taken, promotions, engagements, etc.) to new contact info, we’re interested in any update they can provide. They are also asked to spread info about events, volunteer opportunities and programming to their class, among other responsibilities.

If you’re interested in becoming a Class rep or would like more information on the volunteer role, please contact alumni@hts.on.ca.