The Big Three: L to R -- Allen, Allison, and Matt.
In the spring of my sophomore year at Allegheny, I sat in my first class with Professor Ishita Sinha Roy. We began our first session of the semester by singing the classic song "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. She explained to us that during that semester, we would become like a family because of the kind of group work that we would be doing. Little did I know that I would be forming one of my closest friendships through that class.
The COMRT 220 "Fun Cartel" — with Rachel Gomersall, Allison Cosgrove, Bailey Gawley, Cassie Bachik, Nadiya Wahl, Elia Sherman, Megan Kelly, Amanda Miranda and Allen Baugh. I'm the one with a poker face, "social distancing" at the top left of the pic.
A boy named Allen sat a few rows behind me. We didn't talk to each other much, only within a group chat that we had made with a few other people in the class. The group of us would communicate about the class and the course assignments and we quickly became the "220 Fun Cartel." Still, Allen and I barely communicated face to face, until one day when he brought a sandwich to class. The sandwich was wrapped in quite possibly the LOUDEST plastic wrap on the face of the earth. I had skipped lunch that day to do some homework, so listening to him open that wrapper was both frustrating, because of the crinkle-cracking noisiness, as well as a stomach-growling trigger because of my hunger level . I got his attention and made begging signs to share it with me. I didn't think he would, but when the class was dismissed, he handed me the second half of his sandwich.
As time went on, we began doing homework together every night on the third floor of the campus center in what would soon become "our spot." Our friend Matt would join us as well. Our spot was the place where we each wrote our COMPs, front to back. It felt like a home away from home-- our study quarters. We could work, goof off, eat meals, vent, and enjoy each other's company - all in our special spot.
The three of us enjoyed watching the television show "This Is Us" together. We joked about how the three of us were each other's long lost siblings - Randall, Kevin, and Kate. Those three characters called themselves the "Big Three," so naturally we took on that title as well. Allen and Matt became like protective brothers to me. When I was angry, they knew how to calm me down. When I was sad, they wanted to erase all of the bad things that caused it. When I was happy, they wanted to celebrate with me. When I had a little too much to drink, they would laugh at me and torture me about it the next day. And I would do the same for them in a heartbeat.
BFF Creeper: Allen turns up at work (Student Involvement Office)
"I have so much to be thankful for when I think of my time at Allegheny. I made my best friends, had inspiring professors, received a rigorous education, and made the most amazing memories. But gaining Allen and Matt in my life is something that is next level. We have so much love for each other and although we are not together every day like we once were, the bond has never changed. Thanks, Allegheny. Big Three, out."
~~ Allison Cosgrove (Class of '18, Communication Arts Major)
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING WE DO WHEN WE'RE IN COLLEGE, IT'S WHEN WE LEAVE THAT WE DISCOVER THE WEALTH ALLEGHENY GAVE US. TIME TO GIVE SOME LOVE BACK IF YOU CAN. SHARE YOUR GATOR STORY PLEASE, OR MAKE A DONATION TO HELP A GATOR.
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