As we enter the holiday season, it is time for celebration, family, and reflection. Our Saints community is working on embracing these values, so we asked students and teachers to reflect on what they are grateful for this holiday season. Many were grateful for the school community, family, and friends.
The teachers say they are grateful for the school and the school community. Head Chaplain Rev. Rees expresses that she is “always thankful for this place, for you guys, for the love, the goodness and the beauty of this community.”
Director of Health Services and Physical Education Dr. Stanton says, “I am thankful for the place that I work at because I have been here for twenty-one years, and I have found a home here. I really enjoy my work and what I do for a living.”
French Teacher Madame Van Way, expresses her gratitude, saying “I am thankful for my students because they’re fun and make my life interesting, and I love teaching them,” while history teacher, Dr. McNiel agreed, saying “I am thankful for my students, because they bring me joy when they write good papers.”
This season, the Saints are grateful for those they can rely on, such as family and friends. Emma Driscoll ‘29 conveys, “I’m thankful for my family because they allow me to go to school at St. Stephen’s and they allow me to have all of these opportunities.”
Dr. Stanton expresses her gratitude for her family, saying, “Obviously, my family because I love them very much, and it’s chaotic, but they’re great.”
Khoi Fumo-Pegues ‘27 says, “I am thankful for my family, because my brother is a role model because of how successful he is in school.”
Along with family, friends play an important role in many Saints lives, Mary Chandeler Askew ‘29 says “I am thankful for my friends who are always there to support me.”
Sports play an important role in many Saints’ lives fostering a competitive but unifying environment. This holiday season, the Saints community gives thanks for all the ways their sports uplift them.
Emma Driscoll ‘29 expresses her love for swimming, saying, “I’m thankful for my sport because it taught me many different life lessons and allowed me to meet a lot of new people.”
Soccer player Thomas Stanton ‘28 barks, “I am grateful for soccer, I love soccer, it’s the best sport, it’s the greatest sport in the world. I am grateful for my health because without good health I can’t play soccer.”
Volleyball player, Nadia Shorter ‘28 says “I am grateful for volleyball because it’s really fun, and it’s the one time after school I get to relax.”
Saints are also grateful for the upcoming holidays and being able to spend time with family. Rev. Rees expresses “I am especially grateful that all of my kids are going to be home…we are responsible for all of the Thanksgiving cooking. I think I am thankful because I get to decide what we eat, which is fun.”
Elliott Smith, agreed about being excited for Thanksgiving, saying “I am grateful for Thanksgiving for the opportunity to be together with my family.”
However, Nadia Shorter is grateful for the other upcoming holiday, she exclaims “I am grateful for Christmas coming because I love the festivities, and Christmas, and being all together as a family.”
Some other things the members of the Saints community are grateful for include pets and cars. Madame Van Way added “I am also thankful for my pets, my doggy and my kitty kids, because they keep me warm, and they’re fuzzy, and I love them.” Olivia Cushman ‘26 is also thankful for her car, explaining “I have to drive myself places and not a lot of kids get a car”.
