Gratitude: Grace, What Are You Thankful For?
Photos Provided By Elena Natale/Communications
Over a Grace Church School lunch, Chloe F. ‘27 suggested that everyone at her table go and share something that they are grateful for. Smiles and laughter filled the lunch room as we shared moments of appreciation for often overlooked or seemingly trivial parts of our lives.
It was only by voicing our gratitude that we realized just how much we had to be thankful for. The act of expressing thanks brightened the entire day.
With Thanksgiving right behind us, we invite everyone to take a moment to reflect on what they’re grateful for. Here’s what some members of the Grace community had to share:
Mara M. ‘27 expressed gratitude for “the cheer team at Grace and its supportive culture.”
Peyton W. ‘26 also shared her appreciation for Grace’s athletics. She is “grateful for the basketball team because she feels a sense of community and belonging. “
Appreciation for family was one of the most common things that students expressed their gratitude for. Specifically, many Grace students shared their appreciation for their parents.
Hudson A. ‘27 is grateful for his dad because he always watches his basketball games.
Cody L. ‘26 shared that growing up, his mom taught him how to bake. Ever since then, he has been grateful for “their time spent together in the kitchen.”
Raoul Meyer, our newest history teacher, is also grateful for his family because they have supported him financially so that he can follow his passions and do things like teach.
And, of course, boatloads of Grace students are grateful for their friends, the family you do not share the same blood with.
Ruby S. ‘27 remarked that she is grateful for her friends, the people who have helped her become herself.
Anika A. ‘26 said, “ I am thankful for my friends who always turn my bad moods good.”
Francesca Y. ‘25 is grateful for “the moral support her friends give her during tests, quizzes, and homework.”
Ava L. ’26 is grateful for Daron Forbes, who is a friend to us all. Every morning, without fail, our high school security officer greets everyone and gives Grace a great start to the day.
Daron is also thankful for us! He is grateful for “life, health, family, friends, and the Grace community.”
The number of people who expressed gratitude for Grace is a testimony to the fact that we all are a part of an amazing and loving community.
Romy C. ‘25 is “thankful for Sammantha Farkas-Furniss [the learning specialist], who always helps me and motivates me throughout my day.”
Bordley G. ‘28 is thankful for being able to attend Grace Church School.
Gus H. ‘27 says that he is “grateful to the Grace community for being supportive and for helping him grow.”
Thalia D. ‘28 is grateful for her grade, the class of 2028.
Jojo D. ‘28 shared her gratitude for her advisor, Melissa Smith, who “supports us during the time cut out for advisory during the day.”
Spencer Irwin, the math teacher, is grateful for his wonderful Grace colleagues.
Rev. Sarah Wood is thankful for the grateful community of Grace Church School that “reminds each of us of our unique and irreplaceable light.”
Pets were also at the center of many Grace students’ thoughts.
Julia Warren, the high school counselor, is grateful for her pets because they always greet her when she comes home.
Thalia K. ‘28 is grateful for her rabbits.
Grace students are multifaceted, and many students had miscellaneous things that they were grateful for this year.
Cosi C. ‘28 is grateful for gnocchi and the Teen Beach movie series.
Chloe K. ‘26’ expressed that she is grateful for physical therapy.
Thea S. ‘26 is “thankful for being fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the little things in life, such as Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.”
Bari E. ‘27 is “grateful for small gestures of kindness.”
Anna Grafton, a history teacher, is thankful for the “wonderful world we live in.”
Miles F. ‘27 was grateful for New York City, expressing his gratitude for its history, stories, and opportunities that are there for him as both a student and a person.
Loretta B. ‘27 commented, “I’m grateful that I have passions that excite me, and that I’m able to practice them.”
What are YOU grateful for?
We encourage each and every one of you to not only recognize what you are grateful for but to take a step further and express your gratitude. Sometimes, a simple acknowledgment will suffice, but here are some ways you can go the extra mile:
Write notes of thanks: handwrite letters to your friends, family, teachers, or mentors expressing specific things you appreciate about them. If you’re feeling extra generous, maybe add a small gift.
Cook a dish for your family dinner.
Create a gratitude tree or keep a gratitude journal.
Volunteer and give back to your community.
As members of the Grace community gave thanks at the Thanksgiving Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, smiles filled the church. By putting gratitude into practice, we can brighten up our days and the days of others. Gratitude helps make us our best selves.
Zarina Medeiros ‘26 and Serena Huber ‘27, the authors, are staff writers for The Grace Gazette.