Friends, Family and Opportunity Make Students Thank Out Loud
Be it words of encouragement from your parents, a best friend’s shoulder on which to cry or just the opportunity to take a few days’ vacation from school, there’s much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving Day.
Hot Topics wonders, “For what do you give the most thanks?”
“My parents, obviously. My life, my welfare, my general being, my family members and most of all, my friends.”
Quoc Bao Nguyen, 17, senior, Marina
“My predecessors in the name of fine arts who have given me inspiration.”
James McCallion, 17, junior, St. Michael’s Prep
“God, because he gives us a lot.”
Megane Eimers, 15, sophomore, La Habra
“A roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table, my wonderful job, my great family and life in general.”
Steve Sharp, 18, senior, Buena Park
“Passing calculus.”
Key Urpatel, 17, senior, Costa Mesa
“Friendships I have because I depend on them the most to get through life.”
Carole Lore, 16, junior, Esperanza
“The advice my grandmother gives me; her honesty is so genuine.”
Tanya Yosanovich, 17, senior, Los Alamitos
“My consistent ability to memorize things.”
Jenmar Balcita, 16, junior, Santiago
“For being alive.”
Jason Hunt, 15, sophomore, Esperanza
“Family and relatives who have watched and helped me grow, and to my friends who have stuck by my side through thick and thin.”
Marissa Comez, 17, senior, Buena Park
“My sanity.”
Chris White, 17, senior, St. Margaret’s
“Great friends who are always there for me.”
Todd Cramer, 16, junior, Woodbridge
“Sleep.”
Jack Chung, 17, senior, Marina
“My parents; they gave me life, a good home and a good school.”
Nelson Mora, 14, freshman, St. Michael’s Prep
“Toiletries.”
Robert Hurst, 17, senior, Esperanza
“An opportunity to pursue my dreams.”
Khiem Nguyen, 17, senior, Costa Mesa
“My dad, because he is extremely supportive of all my needs.”
Nga Le, 16, sophomore, Santiago
“Family and friends, and the support they give me.”
Brian Lawson, 17, senior, Buena Park
“Laughter. Without humor, we’d all die, no question about it!”
Juliana Leclair, 17, senior, Los Alamitos
“Being healthy.”
Jennifer Hernandez, 17, junior, St. Margaret’s
“My boyfriend, David, because he’s himself.”
Jessica Jones, 16, junior, La Habra
“A super-wonderful friend and other great understanding friends.”
Samira Houshiar, 17, senior, Woodbridge
“Life, family, friends.”
Vivonne Lee, 15, sophomore, Marina
“My own private, lavender-colored room.”
Quynh Nguyen, 17, senior, Santiago
“My family, my friends and especially for my senior year.”
Jennifer Scott, 17, senior, Mater Dei
“People who have always supported and helped me overcome obstacles. Also to the persons who gave me opportunities to succeed.”
Adriana Slores, 17, junior, Buena Park
“For what I have and that, if I try, I can be successful.”
Omer Ganai, 17, senior, St. Margaret’s
“My two closest friends, Tori and Robby, because I can trust them with my problems.”
Sara Edwards, 14, sophomore, La Habra
“I have a roof over my head and a home to go to.”
Nicole Sharp, 17, senior, Mater Dei
“Friends, family, life and world peace.”
Sun Dang, 18, senior, Costa Mesa
“My older sister, because she brings me everywhere.”
Tien Nguyen, 14, freshman, Santiago
“My family, and the encouragement from all my friends.”
Joe Stepp, 17, senior, Buena Park
“Definitely my friends and my health.”
Jennie Wittes, 16, junior, Los Alamitos
“The world’s best friends and family, and knowing I can always trust them to be there for me.”
Kristen Hall, 15, sophomore, Woodbridge
“Being alive and having wonderful friends.”
Melanie Arum, 16, junior, Marina
Next Week’s Hot Topic: What’s your hardest class? Why?
Responses gathered by Karen Shelley (Buena Park), Edison Leung (Costa Mesa), Jennifer Leuer (Esperanza), Elaine Ust (La Habra), Trisha Ginsburg (Los Alamitos), Gail Altman (Marina), Jenny Sewell (Mater Dei), Brooke Lyons (St. Margaret’s), Joseph Russell (St. Michael’s Prep), Hieu Phan (Santiago) and Cheherazad Elavia (Woodbridge).
