We’re in the Thanksgiving season! There are so many reasons to be stressed out and worried— school, work, the pandemic, the election, the state of our country— AGHH! There’s so much going on, and it sometimes seems like we’re drawing in bad news. Now’s the time, hopefully, where we can take a deep breath and calm down. There are always beautiful reasons to smile and laugh! It’s a wonderful time to count our blessings and remember what we’re grateful for.

Here are some of the things Montrosians are grateful for:

Mrs. Erin O’Brien (Assistant to Head of School), Ms. Jane Gianin (Montrose faculty member), and Cecelia Wang ‘22 said: “My family!”

Liesl-Ann Vaz ‘25 said: “I am thankful for all the opportunities I have been given.”

Eliza Glaeser ‘24 said: “I’m thankful for having friends who are passionate about the same things I am.”

Ms. Anna Smith, one of the 11th-grade Theology teachers, said: “Kristen Young! She has been a great colleague, friend, and sister in Christ this year among many ups and downs. She tells the most amazing stories about family, faith, and her own journey. She has helped me to grow so much as a teacher, woman, and follower of Jesus through her vulnerability and willingness to listen. Thank you, Kristen, for all of the laughs and wisdom! You are truly a blessing to me.”

Maria Silveyra ‘26 said: “My family. Without them, I would be nothing that I am right now.”

Another Montrosian student said: “My books!”

Alanna Hyatt ‘22 said: “I am thankful that we are able to come to school in person. So many schools never opened, and I just heard the news that New York is closing all their schools so that just makes me so grateful that I’m able to go to school and see all my friends.”

Josie Marcucci ‘25 said: “Baking and my family!”

Grace Marino ‘22 said: “Family, school, the opportunity to attend in-person!”

Keira Hyatt ‘26 said: “I’m thankful for my family and my best friend Rachael.”

Michelle Barrett, Montrose parent, said: “I am thankful for my Christian hope, which frames my attitude in every situation. Christian hope compels us to ask God for the seemingly impossible, even in the darkest of times. It propels us forward, with joy, confident that God will see us through the challenge at hand, and that better days lay ahead.”

Avery Condon ‘27 said: “I am thankful for Montrose for helping me feel like a part of the family during my first year. Especially during COVID times where we have had to adapt to many new routines.” 

Anna Sheehan ‘21 said: “I am thankful for in-person school, more than I have been in any other year. I am thankful for every student and faculty and staff member who makes up the Montrose family. I am thankful for my class and all our fun times in the senior commons.”

Anna Hvidsten ‘23 said: “For my college brothers coming home!”

Bella Convery ‘22 said: “I’m thankful to be in school this year because being on zoom is hard.”

Theresa Marcucci ‘23 said: “I am thankful for the opportunity I have in this life to get an education and the opportunity I have to make a difference.”

Ava Russo ‘23 said: “Family, friends, and all the COVID heroes— big and small.”

Gabby Hasenjaeger ‘27 said: “God he created us and loves us!”

Cee-Cee Deslaurier-Tate ‘24 said: “My family, friends, and teachers who have been/are still working extremely hard to help us learn during Covid.”

Tess Farr ‘22 said: “Even though this year has been wild, I really am grateful for where I am in life. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, I am still with my healthy family, I get to see my friends, I can go to school, and the quality of my education hasn’t drastically dropped. Besides the obvious health guidelines and other COVID-related things that are now a part of daily life, I am privileged enough to have a life that is fundamentally the same as it was before the pandemic, and for that, I am so thankful.”

Thank you to everyone who answered the survey! Hopefully, during this season, we’ll be able to find the beautiful things and people that make us smile. Happy Thanksgiving!

Jenn Uche ’22, Opinions Editor

22juche@montroseschool.org