Counting blessings: students express gratitude for their lives

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Just in time for some dinnertime conversation at Thanksgiving dinner, students reminisce about everything they feel grateful for.

Beginning with the gift of music, freshman Braden Rice is thankful for his guitars. “I started learning to play the guitar a year and a half ago, because I love metal music. I also joined the Contemporary Music Club to hear more music, so I’m grateful for that opportunity, too,” Rice said.

Sophomore Anagha Iyer cherishes her friends. “I am grateful for my friends because they’ve helped me all throughout the school year whenever things get stressful, and they also give me something to look forward to everyday,” Iyer said.

Pets become part of the family, too. During COVID-19, junior Sophia Casanova adopted a cat named Leo whom she loves like a son. “I’m grateful for my cat, my friends and family; I love my people and I love that they love me,” Casanova said.

For an emotional end to her high school career, senior Kayla Giset reflects on her friendships. “This holiday season, I’m grateful for my incredible friends. As a senior, I cherish the bonds I’ve created throughout high school immensely and can’t wait to see what the future holds for us,” Giset said.

Junior Sophia Casanova’s cat Leo is an orange tabby cat. She got him in October 2020, to keep her company during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo/Sophia Casanova)

Now a senior at American Heritage, Anya returns as Editor-in-Chief of the Patriot Post. With her passion for journalism, she is Co-President of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society. She started an organization called “ActionPAKT: Projects Advocating for a Kinder Tomorrow” to educate youth about current issues and help them take action; currently, she has expanded it to 15+ chapters in multiple countries, raising $17,000 within the Heritage chapter itself. As a Youth Ambassador for Bullets4Life, Anya advocates for gun control. She leads the top Model UN program in the nation as President, competing nationally and organizing conferences at school. To relax, Anya hangs out with friends, swims, goes on walks and binge watches Netflix. She loves the beach, good food and her lazy little dog Simba more than anything.