It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping (maybe not so much where we live), and the nostalgia for summer has finally cleared up as we’ve sunken into the school year. For me, personally, this is one of my favorite times of the year. One main reason I love the Fall so much is because it is the time to welcome Thanksgiving! There is no better opportunity than this holiday for loved ones to gather together to celebrate and appreciate each other’s company. Whether it is going to a big family reunion, flying elsewhere to see family, staying locally, or any other plans, this is always a joyous time.

Being that Thanksgiving is a time for sharing, I wanted to get other opinions about this holiday. What are Pine Crest students most thankful for this year? I decided to ask around and see what fellow students said. Junior Kimmy Ginsburg said, “I am thankful for my family, especially the fact that even though by brother is in college, I can still remain close with him. I’m also thankful for my education.” I think that is such a sweet thing to be appreciative of, especially the part about her brother. Senior Chelsea Hartney had the nicest things to say, too. When asked what she is thankful for this year, she said, “I’m thankful for my wonderful parents, my brother, my amazing friends, and I am thankful that I am fortunate enough to come to Pine Crest everyday to receive an incredible education from such brilliant faculty.” I could not help but smile as she said that! Junior Meric Odabas-Yigit also had a lot to say. When he was asked, he answered, “I am thankful for my incredible friends, the life that I was born into, the opportunities given to me by my parents, and for my closely-knit family.” Ali Oshinsky, a sophomore, said, “I’m thankful that I have an amazing family that supports my passions and is able to provide me with the help I need to reach my goals. Also, I’m so thankful for my friends that I can count on even when I know I’m not at my best.” I would say what I am thankful for this year, but everyone I talked to seems to have encompassed everything I would have said! From my family, to my friends, to my school, to my home, the life I know and love, as a whole, is what I am most thankful for this year. Hearing all these warm, honest answers is why I love Thanksgiving so much. It is personal, yet everyone has the common link to what they are thankful for.

It was so nice speaking with others about Thanksgiving. I loved being able to hear what they are thankful for. I think that the fact we can share in Thanksgiving discussions says a whole lot about this holiday. To me, it is the perfect chance to think, reflect, and be happy. I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday, and I hope you cherish every moment of it!