For What Are You the Most Grateful on This Particular Thanksgiving Day?
Everybody’s especially thankful this time of year. Maybe it’s for friends you can count on in your time of need, or parents who have been there all along. Or, perhaps, for something more tangible, like money or a fast car.
Hot Topics wonders: “For what in your life do you give the most thanks?”
“I am thankful for all my friends who are very special to me, for my sister, my mom and dad and most of all, for my personal salvation.”
Valerie Canfield, 16,
junior, Bethel Baptist
“For my parents, my five sisters, my youth pastor and his family and my friends.”
Becky Williams, 17,
senior, Bethel Baptist
“I thank God for my salvation. It’s neat to be sure I’m going to heaven.”
Matt Thomas, 16,
junior, Bethel Baptist
“My dad’s 300ZX.”
Matt Blankenbiller, 14,
sophomore, Dana Hills
“My blond hair.”
Jyllian Kemsley, 17,
senior, Dana Hills
“My parents.”
Philip Ariza, 16,
junior, Dana Hills
“My friends.”
Scott Fredrickson, 17,
junior, Dana Hills
“My girlfriend.”
Dave Betanzos, 15,
sophomore, Dana Hills
“That I’m done with all my college applications.”
Diana Chuang, 17,
senior, Foothill
“That I’m alive. When I was born, I had spinal meningitis and I almost died.”
Andrew Gagen, 14,
freshman, Foothill
“Probably my church and the people I’ve met through it.”
Jill Evans, 16,
junior, Foothill
“My family and being able to know God.”
Chelsea Mitchell, 17,
senior, Heritage
“God, my family and the real champions of baseball, the best team in any league--the Angels.”
Lark Alloway, 17,
senior, Heritage
“My clothes and my girl.”
Darrel Ortloff, 17,
junior, Heritage
“Salvation, friends and family.”
Marisa Zubas, 17,
senior, Heritage
“Family.”
Gina Senu, 17,
senior, Huntington Beach
“Being alive.”
Darren Chen, 17,
senior, Huntington Beach
“Freedom and health.”
Ngoc Hua, 17,
senior, Huntington Beach
“My family, my health, my happiness. Pretty much, just living.”
Ami Goetschius, 16,
junior, Huntington Beach
“My wonderful parents, because they have given me their love.”
Alan Nguyen, 17,
senior, Ocean View
“My caring, understanding dad and my aunt for saving my life.”
Khoa Vo, 17,
junior, Ocean View
“Cinema and theater, where everyday make-believe becomes reality. They never fail to take me away from the perpetual problems that vex me.”
Paul McGinnis, 16,
sophomore, Ocean View
“A loving family that I can lean on for support and for living in the United States, where I can freely express my opinions.”
Rabih Hamzeh, 16,
junior, Ocean View
“There is nothing in this world that can replace the love and care I’ve received from my fellow Seahawks. Thank you friends for being the people of my life.”
Minh Phan, 16,
senior, Ocean View
“The support, care and love of my family.”
Molly Mazur, 16,
junior, Orange
“For living in America and for my family.”
Terryl Haines, 16,
junior, Orange
“My membership at Block Gym and my car.”
George Chister, 17,
senior, Orange
“For God giving me a full and healthy life.”
Kevin Esparza, 17,
senior, Orange
“That I have a family to spend Thanksgiving with, because there are many that don’t have anywhere to go.”
Cory Marda, 18,
senior, Orange
“My home, family and parents, which I can count on for support and guidance. I’m also thankful for my friends who care about me.”
Karla Garcia, 16,
junior, Rosary
“That I was born in the United States and that my rights as a citizen are protected under the Constitution.”
Donna George, 17,
senior, Rosary
“My parents, brothers and friends who care about me.”
Hinh Raza, 16,
junior, Rosary
“My little brother, which I wanted and finally got after 11 years.”
Huda Qurashi, 14,
freshman, Rosary
“The Lord, who has kept my family in good shape and has watched over me.”
Monique Jones, 16,
junior, Saddleback
“God and my parents and my best friend, because they keep me in shape and take care of me. I also give thanks to life itself.”
Alejandra Torres, 16,
junior, Saddleback
“My family and teachers, who have helped me to mature as a responsible and caring adult. Especially my parents, who give lots of love, support and moral values.”
Ban Tran, 17,
senior, Saddleback
“I am thankful because my parents are together, and hopefully will be that way for a long time. My parents give me all I need and desire. I just wish everybody had as much luck as I do in life.”
Manuel Hernandez, 15,
sophomore, Saddleback
“All the wonderful teachers that make it interesting. They’ve expanded my knowledge, and more importantly, they are friends that I can turn to when I have problems.”
Ham Tran, 15,
sophomore, Saddleback
“Money.”
Ryan Engstrom, 16,
junior, Valencia
“Echo and the Bunnymen; life, heart, hand, soul, God.”
Shan Yin, 16,
junior, Valencia
“The existence of someone as strange as Shan Yin to enliven a dull life.”
Sunil Dalal, 17,
senior, Valencia
“Being able to live in a free country where I can choose to be whatever I want to be.”
Greg Hammond, 17,
senior, Valencia
“Faith in Jesus Christ.”
Jason Bae, 17,
senior, Valencia
Next Week’s Hot Topic:
If you had unlimited resources, what would you most like to give as a Christmas gift and to whom?
Hot Topic responses gathered by Roxane Dyrud (Bethel Baptist), Dana Wilshin (Dana Hills), Tara Suan (Foothill), John Doney (Heritage), Jane Wey (Huntington Beach), Felice Wu (Ocean View), Jennifer Turner (Orange), Asra Hashmy (Rosary), Nguyen-Hong Hoang (Saddleback) and Jenny Simpson (Valencia).