Stevenson Gives Thanks

A Thanksgiving celebration with everyone together on campus returned to Stevenson on November 23rd before students and teachers departed for the holiday break. The Stevenson community has held a community meal for many years and continues to do so for good reason--of which one of the most important is having shared moments of pause and thanks. The Stevenson tradition exists within a larger history, though. For the United States, Thanksgiving has a complicated past that has warranted articles of clarification (e.g., the real Thanksgiving), as well as articles that question and challenge. Beyond our nation's history, nations around the world have marked the late fall harvest season with time dedicated to thanks and celebration. As we all are positioned to continue developing as students of history, we also leverage the good elements that can be pulled more broadly from history--elements of giving thanks and celebrating community together--as the Stevenson School moves through the fall.

To join together this year, the Stevenson community enjoyed a catered meal complete with chicken, macaroni and cheese, and grilled vegetables after an abbreviated class schedule. Students and faculty fostered camaraderie while eating, spending ninety minutes with their advising groups to cap the shortened week. In the spirit of the season, faculty asked students during advising what they are thankful for, and students shared the responses posted below:

J: I am thankful for my parents and siblings and that I was able to switch to this school.

M: I am thankful for my stepmom and how, even though she isn't my biological mom she treats me like I'm her own, and I’m grateful for my biological mom because even though we don't see each other a lot she still tries to talk to me. 

B: I am grateful for mental health care and my parents, but mostly mental health care.

K: I'm thankful for having a family that's so supportive of me and for having the opportunity to attend a school that cares about my mental health and well being.

A: I am thankful for my sisters, teachers, the counseling center, and the possibility of moving out of Westchester.

M: I am thankful for all my supportive family members, friends, and teachers.

A: In my life at this point in time I am thankful my dad bought me a new skateboard even when I didn't even ask, I am also thankful for my pet snake for always being there for me. 

M: I am thankful for the computer science program at Stevenson.

E: I am grateful for my reptiles! They provide me joy and make me happy :)

V: I am grateful for my parents Shari and Porter.

J: I am thankful for heating!!! 

H: I am thankful for the health of everyone at RLS and that we are able to meet in person this year!

R: I am grateful for Lauren's baked goods.

L: I am thankful for the support of my co-advisors and Poppy (my dog).

A: I am thankful for the warm and welcoming community of Stevenson.

H: I'm thankful for being back in person for school! 

D, H, N: We're thankful for our amazing advisees! 

N: I'm thankful for how welcoming and helpful everyone has been for my first year teaching here! 

O: I'm grateful for Amy because she helped me apply to college, and I couldn't have done it without her.  And I'm thankful for all of my teachers, except one . . . (jk!). 

A: I'm grateful for my therapist.

B: I'm thankful for the really nice employees at Zucker's and Starbucks.

S: I'm thankful for my dog!

J: I’m thankful for my interests, my body, being alive.

E: I’m thankful for my drum set, my dog, my gerbils, my parents for adopting me.

J: I’m thankful for my parents bringing me into the world.

C: I’m thankful for this school for providing a good environment; books and magazines for shaping who I've become; Indian food.

E: I’m thankful for my friends.

J: I’m thankful for my dog.

J: I’m thankful for mornings outside.

G: I'm thankful for my parents being so supportive and encouraging of me throughout my life. I'm thankful for my mental health getting better, for my friends, for my partner, and just for life in general, honestly.

J: I am thankful for my family for sure.

T: I am thankful that I have food.

J: I am thankful for my family.

A: I am thankful that I am healthy.

J: I’m thankful for this wonderful, supportive community.