With Thanksgiving around the corner, now is a great time to pause and ask ourselves, “What are we really grateful for?” Between homework, sports, and extracurricular activities, there isn’t much time to reflect on who or what we appreciate. To find out what the Poly students are thankful for, we asked some for their thoughts.
“I am grateful for getting to play club volleyball for another season,” said junior Daniela Watson. “I felt especially grateful for winning our first CIF game for Poly.” Additionally, Watson is grateful that her mom pushed her to become a better player. “When I see my mom in the morning, I just try to realize how grateful I am that she is there.”
Freshman Holden Joanou also appreciates his mom’s care and thoughtfulness. “I am most grateful for my mom because she helps me through everything, and she always helps me out when I need it.” Joanou makes an effort to thank his mother every time she does something for him.
Freshman Jaan Kelly feels like he has always tried to show his appreciation to the people he enjoys spending time with by supporting their interests and treating them kindly. “I am most grateful for all the relationships I have gained in my lifetime,” he said. Kelly, however, noted that relationships are not the only thing to be grateful for and believes in also valuing items like his phone. “I sometimes think that I take my phone for granted, because I am very grateful for it, but I know if I got it taken away, I would be really upset,” he said.
Senior Diego Scholze expressed his appreciation for those who have helped him through a challenging situation. “During my sophomore year, when I had to undergo open heart surgery, I was so grateful for not only the support from my friends and family, but also the people at Poly.” This wasn’t the only time Scholze found himself appreciative of his loved ones’ support during a health challenge. “My sense of gratitude changed over time, starting when I went through open-heart surgery, and now I am healing from an ACL rupture. I’m just grateful that I could come out stronger from each injury.”
A New York Times article published on June 8, 2023, titled “Gratitude Really Is Good for You. Here’s What the Science Shows,” written by Christina Caron, highlights a study conducted by psychologist Robert A. Emmons, which explores how gratitude can benefit both physical and mental health.
These conversations show how thankfulness isn’t something that should be practiced only during the holiday season, but we can work on appreciating – and showing our appreciation – all year-round. As 2025 comes to an end, Poly students, faculty, and staff can all take some time to reflect upon what we’re grateful for this year – even if the year was filled with challenges – before we head into 2026.