The holiday season brings time to reflect on what you’re thankful for—especially in 2020.

Thanksgiving brought time for the Beaver Area Bobcats to share what they are thankful for after a year filled with uncertainty.

Senior Isabella DiPietrantonio was crowned Pennsylvania’s Distinguished Young Woman 2021 August 30. Through the rest of the year, she remains grateful to be part of the program and is thankful for everything it has brought her.

“I’m thankful for the DYW program because it’s given me opportunities to make an impact and grow as an individual,” shared DiPietrantonio.

Being part of any type of program is something anyone should be thankful for, including a sports program. Sophomore Ana Avdellas has been thankful for soccer for a long time—not only the game aspect, but what it’s brought to her life along the way.

“I am thankful for the incredible friendships I’ve build through my soccer team and the ones that have remained since I was little. They fill my life with love and have given me so many memories that make life worth living,” exclaimed Avdellas.

Avdellas continued, explaining a friendship she is exceedingly grateful for, especially in the last two years.

“I am also thankful for [English teacher] Mrs. Green for always making me smile, for making me laugh, and making me want to come to school everyday,” said Avdellas.

Friendships become important in our lives when we face hardships—or the year 2020. When you have a best friend, it makes those times easier.

“I’m thankful for my best friend, Sydney Cavett, because we do everything together and she is always there for me,” remarked senior Anna Blum.

Freshman Madeline Boser and sophomore Jackson Vuckovich agreed with Blum.

“I’m thankful for my family and friends because I know they will always be there for me and support me in everything I do,” shared Boser.

“I’m thankful for my dad because without him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” said Vuckovich.

Junior Alyssa Tuccinard, though, thought more deeply about the question “what are you thankful for?”

“I’m thankful for everyone who has impacted my life and has made it better. This year has been a complete disaster, but I’ve made some of the best friends I could have ever asked for, including [senior] Jaret [Starkey],” commented Tuccinard.

Although that’s already a lot to be thankful for, she ended with something that really hits home.

“I’m thankful for my family; I’ve grown closer to them more than ever before, and I’m especially thankful for growing in my faith with the amazing people around me,” concluded Tuccinard.

Sometimes we are only thankful for what we have now, but what about your past? Junior Simon Potts likes to take time to reflect on how the past has changed him.

“If I were to be to be thankful to it would be my past. It may not have been the best, but it taught me to persevere and stay steadfast. If I wasn’t put in the situation I was in, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” gratefully shared Potts.

As we wrap-up a year that no one is particularly thankful for, let’s be grateful for the things in our lives that we still have.

So ask yourself, “what am I thankful for?”