Throughout November, especially over the four-day Thanksgiving break, students at Cresskill Middle/High School have had the opportunity to reflect on some things that they were grateful for during the Thanksgiving season. To get a better sense of their thoughts, I created a form asking respondents what they were thankful for. 

Most were thankful for their family and their friends. One sophomore stated that they were grateful for their “family, who is always willing to provide for [them] with gifts and love.” Another freshman said that they were thankful for “family and friends who make it enjoyable to be around and never fail to make [them] happy.” Respondents also expressed gratitude for their teachers and mentors. “I am thankful to have supportive teachers,” stated an anonymous sophomore. “They help me learn and grow every day.” Others valued their religions, expressing their gratitude for their faith, while some were simply grateful for the Thanksgiving food: one freshman even said, “I am thankful for the epic food that I got to eat with my family.”

Surprisingly, many expressed a strong appreciation for sports. One sophomore expressed appreciation for their wrestling teammates, who “uplifted and motivated [them] to progress and be better.” This feeling of gratitude was not limited to school sports, however; a freshman responded that they are thankful for their “favorite soccer team getting to the top of the league.”

In summary, students at Cresskill Middle/High School are clearly grateful for a plethora of things, both large and small. In a study by researchers at Harvard University, a link was found between gratitude and greater happiness: individuals that were more grateful were found to have greater emotional and social well-being, better sleep quality, reduced chances of depression, and a stronger cardiovascular system. Therefore, happier students contribute heavily to a happier, friendlier community, ultimately enhancing school life for everyone.