I was thinking earlier today about the hundreds of social media posts of thanks I saw this Thanksgiving. But more importantly, how little we talk about the things we are thankful for the other 364 days of the year. So, I decided to make a list of the things that I want to thank Hockaday for— the things I never want to forget

1. A Love of Learning – At times, we all take the books and the lectures and informational videos for granted. Yet, I know that any day feels more successful after learning a new skill. Hockaday has taught us to crave new knowledge and to question the information we hear.

2. A Safe Space – Hockaday has provided my peers and me with an environment to step outside of the box and to learn and explore with our own study techniques. This school has made us comfortable voicing our opinions and open to listening to the diverse ideas of those around us.

3. Insightful teachers – I am so thankful to the teachers who take often an extra minute (or an hour) to explain new concepts or to clarify the basics. They are the backbone of our learning experience here at Hockaday.

4. The Class of 2016 – I am beyond thankful to be surrounded by more than one hundred amazing students every single day. Over the years, this class has taught me so much about perseverance, loyalty, camaraderie and love. The way they care for one another is a true example of the bonds that can be formed at Hockaday through stress and sweat and the occasional tears.

5. Ela Hockaday – I am thankful for Ms. Hockaday because she saw a dream for women in a world where dreams were still only supposed to be for men. She acted on her vision and 102 years later, her dream has multiplied in the minds and hearts of Hockaday students and alums around the world.

6. The Acceptance Wall – Looking at the wall clad in a blanket of acceptance letters, I want to thank every single person who has invested in our education. This wall makes an equal celebration out of each acceptance; it is something we can all have pride in. I believe that the wall provides a concrete (brick actually) view of a hopeful future for underclassmen.

7. College Counseling – I am thankful for the guidance of the college counselors who provide a sounding board for our ideas. They somehow remind us to believe in ourselves and not forget that this college application journey will be over soon. After all, the chocolate is a plus, too.

8. Uniforms – Without the world of plaid skirts, I would have undoubtedly lost countless hours of sleep over the years trying to find clothes to wear. The uniform has been a constant in our lives and it has taught us to express ourselves in many ways other than appearance. Next year, what will we do without our promised plaid skirts each day?

9. Big Dreams – Hockaday taught me that no dream was too big or too small, too challenging or too simple to accomplish. This school prepares one to continue working for big goals and small ones even when the victory is not in sight.

10. The Jade Plant – Thank you Hockaday for the hours of daydreaming that were well spent over my curiosity as to what would happen if I did, in fact, water the jade plant.

Hockaday, ever true, thanks for being you!

Sincerely,
Senior

Sincerely, Senior is a blog focusing on senior experiences and is written weekly by Castoff Editor Austria Arnold. 

Commentaries are the expressed opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of The Fourcast staff, its adviser or any member of the Hockaday community.