As young adults, leaving Pearson College behind forever was one of the most heart wrenching and difficult life experiences many of us had faced to date. In 1999, when Year 24 finished its second year and returned to the real world, we were promised 2 reunions: a 10 year reunion in 2008 with our second years from Year 23, and a 20 year reunion in 2019 with our first years from Year 25. This promise somehow made the pain of leaving easier, despite how very far away those days seemed. It wasn't "goodbye," but "until we meet again."

Many students from Year 24 returned in 2008 for a joyous few days with our fellow years and our second years. However, many did or could not, and have been focused on returning in 2019 to see our fellow and first years, as promised. This reunion schedule has been posted publicly on Pearson College's website for some time now (http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/p/?pgn=Alumni&subpgn=...) and has been a reference point, not just for Year 24, but for all years, in terms of making plans to meet with each other in the future.

In mid-September 2016, Year 24 received notices that our reunion was less than 11 months away, in August of 2017, with Years 21, 22 and 23. This put our reunion ahead by 2 years, and took away our chance to see our first years in Year 25. Many year 24 alumni have either already made plans for 2017, or do not feel able to save the necessary funds in time to attend in 2017. Those of us who wish to fundraise to bring as many of our fellow years and their families as we can back to the college do not believe 11 months is enough time to raise the money we would need to do so. Further, this change means Year 24 and year 25 miss out on the reunion together which they were promised, and with no future reunion scheduled between these years, it means 1999 was truly a goodbye.

We respectfully request that the college reconsider its unilateral change to our reunion schedule, and honor the public commitment made to Year 24, both in 1999 and on the college's current website, to a 20 year reunion with Year 25 in 2019. This will allow as many Year 24 alumni as possible to attend, and allow Year 24 and Year 25 to reunite, as promised. We are happy to engage in dialogue with you and to reach a solution collaboratively. Please feel free to reach out to us.