Alger B. Wilkins High School’s Class of 2024: Cultivating Resilience and Community Spirit

At Alger B. Wilkins High School, Standout Senior Marjorie Jackson has become a beacon of dedication and community unity. As she reflects on her high school journey, Marjorie shares insights into the defining experiences that shaped her and her classmates' final year.

"This year's senior class faced a lot of challenges, more so not wanting to come into school, lacking the motivation," Marjorie revealed. "But teachers like Mr. Bowen and our counselors helped us overcome these hurdles. They gave us the motivation and the resources to want to get here and come to school."

Under the guidance of inspirational figures like Mr. Bowen, the social studies teacher who "keeps it very 100 with all the students," Marjorie and her peers have navigated their senior year with growing resilience. "We love him for it," she added, acknowledging the profound impact of supportive faculty on their daily school lives.

Community engagement has been a fundamental aspect of the activities undertaken by the senior class. "This year's senior class has helped contribute to the community because we participate in food drives. These food drives help keep families with food on the table and address the issue of food security," Marjorie explained. Additionally, the school hosts a food and toiletries pantry where students are encouraged to take what they need for their families each Friday, fostering a supportive environment within the school.

Reflecting on the personal growth experienced this year, Marjorie noted, "The skills we've gained from the activities we took part in this year definitely include patience and resilience. There's been a lot of things in the way of the goals we've been trying to get to, and it took time and effort, but we did it."

The essence of the senior class, she describes in one word, is "loving." According to Marjorie, "A lot of these students come from some pretty hard backgrounds, but we all came together here. When we met up, we found out the real stories behind all of us, and we all love each other for who we are."

Looking forward, Marjorie envisions a bright future for her classmates, "I see my classmates and I, in the next five years, studying for those careers we picked a couple of years back, most definitely working our way to the finish line." The most common goals among her peers include going to school, finishing school and continuing their education.

Marjorie expressed the crucial role that Cumberland County Schools played in preparing its students for their future endeavors. "They have provided us with safe places to learn, lunches throughout the day, and somewhere to go when we don't have anywhere else," she noted.

In a heartfelt message to her peers, Marjorie expressed her pride, "I just want to tell my whole senior class I'm proud of you guys. I know it took a long time to get here; it took a lot of work and a lot of effort, but we're here, we did it, and we're done."

Marjorie Jackson's story, like others in her senior class, is one of triumph over adversity, embodying the spirit of Alger B. Wilkins High School's Class of 2024—a class marked by unity, love and unwavering commitment to their collective and individual futures.