In this season of thanksgiving, the Whit Staff found it pertinent that we share the things we each are thankful for this year. Reflecting on our gratitude lists is a simple way to improve our mood.
It is the belief of the Whit Staff that gratitude can and should be practiced year-round. It’s a practice that has significant benefits for your mood as well as your physical health, according to research done by Positive Psychology.
The article states that “Essentially, when we experience gratitude, it changes physiological aspects of the brain that reside at the neurotransmitter level. These changes create feelings of happiness and contentment.”
We also implore each of you to join us in reflecting on and sharing with one another what you are thankful for, now, and all year-round.
Beth Cimaglia (Editor-in-Chief): This year, I am feeling particularly grateful for simply being where I am right now. I’ve had some adverse experiences in the past few years, which have led me to be in a state of extreme burnout and exhaustion. Up until recently, that is. In the past few weeks, I have made significant changes in my personal and professional life that are helping me get back on my feet and step confidently into a new and healthier timeline.
Otherwise, I am grateful to the journalism department professors, particularly Dr. Garyantes and Professor DiUlio, for their continued support in classes, for the Whit, and personally, through the many twists and turns in my life. You both have shown me what leadership is, and restored my faith in people.
I’m also grateful for the many redirections and pitfalls in my plans. I have emotional whiplash, but looking back, I dodged some serious bullets, professionally and personally.
Lastly, I’m grateful for being able to serve the Rowan Community as Editor-in-Chief.
Katie Thorn (Managing Editor): When told to write about what I’m thankful for, I was overwhelmed with how many things in my life I’m grateful for. Going through the laundry list of people and things I’m grateful for, there was a common theme, and it all related to the people who have made Rowan University a second home.
For starters, I am eternally grateful for my parents. They were the ones who helped and supported me most when transferring to Rowan. They continue to support and empower me as I strive to get my journalism degree.
Additionally, I am beyond grateful for all of my amazing professors and faculty who make the journalism department feel like home. I am extremely grateful to Mark Berkey-Gerard and Dr. Garyantes for not just starting South Jersey Climate News, but also for letting me be a part of it.
Lastly, I’m forever grateful and thankful for the Whit and everyone who is a part of it. Thank you to our amazing advisor, Professor DiUlio, for always being there for us and being a helping hand. And finally, thank you to absolutely everyone on our amazing editorial staff. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have such amazing, supportive friends whom I get to work with.
Chris Otto (News & Photography Editor): It’s really easy to say something cliche like “I’m thankful for my friends” or “I’m thankful for my family”, but that’s always been the case for me. After years of searching for a sense of belonging, I finally feel like I’ve found the right crop of people to associate with; to call my friends. Even when I feel like I’m too much, I’ve got people in my life to remind me that I’m not. As for my family, I’ve always been thankful to have my mom and my sister in my life. We’ve gone through plenty of hardships together, and a bond like ours doesn’t break easily, no matter how many times it’s been tested.
I’m very thankful for the life that I live. It’s very easy to not be grateful for all the good in my life, but the reality is that I’ve got family that loves me even in my darkest times, friends that I can depend on and that can depend on me, an incredible partner that inspires me to be the best version of myself, and a job that, well, I can tolerate at the very least. Ultimately, I’m just thankful to be alive and thankful that I get to continue living to the best of my ability.
Marchella Mazzoni (Features Editor): When reflecting on what I’m thankful for, a lot of different things cross my mind. From people who’ve impacted me, to memories that I’ll cherish forever, I feel very blessed and grateful for the world and those around me. During this season, I always try my best to spend time with my loved ones and show gratitude to those in my life. While I have friendsgivings and family gatherings I’m looking forward to, what means the most to me is the people I’m sharing these experiences with. I hope that during this season of appreciation, everyone can enjoy moments with those they are closest to.
Mattie Mac Kay (Arts & Entertainment Editor): This Thanksgiving, I think I am just thankful to be 21, and I was able to turn 21 with some of my best friends. I am so thankful for my family, Mom, Dad, and Brianna and Autumn. I am thankful for Tate McRae finally dropping a deluxe edition of her album. I think I am just so thankful to be able to openly be me in whatever forum I want to be. I am thankful to have such a beautiful support system in my friends. They are always there for me and never fail to bring a smile to my face, even during some of my darkest moments.
Lily Miller (Opinion Editor): This holiday season, I have not been feeling thankful about anything at all. Every day has been cold and dreary, and just today, I looked up and realized there were hardly any leaves left on the trees. Still, we should hold space for some positivity in our lives, whether or not we feel the pull to succumb to unhappiness and, dare I say, despair.
Thanksgiving is a yearly reminder of this, situated at a time of year when it’s easier than ever to feel gloomy and blah. But it’s also a time when harvests mature and joy abounds. It’s supposedly a season of togetherness, too. I’m excited and thankful for the friendsgivings on the horizon and even more distantly for our holiday break.
And, even amidst this dreary weather, I’m thankful for my friends here in New Jersey for humoring me and my crash-outs, and for my friends in Colorado who haven’t forgotten about me even in my absence.
Sarah Shockey (Sports Editor): I’m thankful for my amazing family and friends. All of them are my biggest supporters, and I’m so lucky to have such lovely support systems both at home and at Rowan. Through The Whit and Rowan Radio, I’ve met some of my dearest and closest friends. I’m also grateful to all of my sports beat writers who contribute to my section. They do such amazing work, and I couldn’t do my job without them.
Caitlin Schad (Social Media Editor): I am thankful for my family, friends, and my pets. Most importantly, I am thankful for the life I get to have that many others do not. I am thankful to wake up in a nice house, greeted by my two dogs and family. I am thankful for my education and getting to choose my career path. Being thankful for all these things isn’t just something we should think about in the month of November. We should be thankful for these things all year round. Being thankful has become such a big part of Thanksgiving and has become so robotic for many of us. When we sit together with our families this Thanksgiving, enjoying our warm meals and the company around us, remember to be thankful for the moment but also thankful for these things outside of the month of November.
Shayne Crowley (Copy Desk Chief): This holiday, as I enjoy a long-needed break, I’ll be thankful for a long sleep with my wonderful puppy, Ash, and all he’s helped me through this semester. I’m thankful for my two copyeditors who helped me through the semester with editing dozens of stories a week: Hayden, Julissa, and Sofia. I’m also thankful that this is the last Thanksgiving I’ll be spending as an undergrad student, so I’ll finally be able to stop my hour-and-a-half commute to a single class a day.
Hayden Fugee (Copy Editor): This Thanksgiving, as always, I am thankful for my family, my dog, and my little bearded dragon. But this year, I am thankful for my girlfriend, Julie, who has supported me and been there for me, and with whom I can laugh, cry, and stim with like no other. I have never met a person so genuinely beautiful in and out, who just wants to help the people around her. She is as creative and brilliant as she is passionate about making others feel better. For all the ups and downs throughout the year and throughout life, I’m thankful to have her to go through it all with. Thank you, Julie, for being my girlfriend, my best friend, and the most fun, most amazing person in my life.
Julissa Sierra (Copy Editor): Thanksgiving is just around the corner. In this world, I think it’s so important to be grateful for family. You never know when it will be the last time you will see them. I am so grateful to have a family like mine. My immediate family only consists of my mom, dad, sister, twin sister, brother, and me. I know in a family there can be a little drama, but that’s what makes a good family. No matter what happens, I know I can always count on my family, and I love them so much. Despite there may be drama, everyone will still be there for each other. You never realize how fortunate you are to have your family by your side. My family supports me throughout all my decisions and is so proud of me. Even though this may not be as big, having a family that loves and supports you is truly a blessing. I am so grateful to have a loving and crazy family.
Sofia Graiff (Copy Editor): This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for my friends who have made my first semester at college a little bit easier. Coming into university was a little bit scary at first for me, but my friends in my hometown, as well as the people I have met here at Rowan, have made my experience a lot better. I am also thankful that I really like my major in journalism, and that I haven’t had any second guesses or feelings to change my major. I am thankful to myself for encouraging myself to join The Whit and begin writing stories, which I have found I really enjoy doing. I am overall very thankful for my friends, the new people I have met, and the opportunities that I have been given in order to advance my future in journalism.
For comments/questions about this story, DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]
