Thanksgiving is a time to think about how lucky you are to have what you have. This includes friends, family, living in a first-world country, and whatever else you may be thankful for. Now, like most teenagers, I try to refrain from thinking, but I was away this Thanksgiving and I forgot my phone charger at home, so I didn’t have much choice. So when I was asked, “What are you grateful for, Dean?” for approximately the 8,076th time this past week, I held back my routine “I’m grateful for my friends and family” response and actually thought about it. I thought, “Well I’m grateful to have a roof over my head, and I’m grateful that my annoying brother is out at the museum with my mom and dad, I am grateful that I’m so incredibly good looking, and for the school I go to,” to which my other annoying brother replied, “Shut up you’re ugly.” Ah yes, twelve-year-olds.

We then proceeded to rush to my aunt and uncle’s dining room for Thanksgiving dinner, where I was asked for the 8,077th time, “What are you thankful for?” And, in the absence of my phone, I thought some more. I thought about each of the previously listed things that I was thankful for. Then I started thinking about this school. I’m thankful for the Omega, and the chance to express my opinions (to a certain extent) to the school via articles. I’m thankful for the lighthearted atmosphere and how the students can develop rapport with the teachers in class, and I’m thankful for finally seeing that learning can actually be fun. I’m thankful for teachers that have a passion for teaching. I’m thankful for the way Oratory helps people from the tag day charities to Mrs. Marshall’s service projects. I’m thankful for the freshmen and sophomores that I will go on this high school journey with for the next few years, and for the seniors, juniors, and faculty members that will guide me on the way. I’m thankful for the drastic change from middle school that this has been for me. I used to hate school, and dreaded going there every morning. Now I look forward to new days and opportunities, and I just want to thank you all. So, formally, thank you OP.