Happy Thanksgiving, Citizen Scholars!
First, let’s acknowledge the history of this holiday. There was no true friendship between the white colonizers and the Native people, and the Thanksgiving story often overshadows the true past and injustices that served as the foundation of our nation. We are choosing to put aside this narrative and stop covering up the violence. Thanksgiving should not be a time to celebrate the false tale of Pilgrim and Native American friendship, but it can still be a time to choose gratitude and reflect on the blessings in our lives.
With a year like this, where so many of us have experienced loss and pain, grief and anxiety, it is even harder to focus on the good. Today, in choosing to highlight the things we are grateful for, we are not ignoring the need for change or disregarding the struggles that so many of us face. Focusing on gratitude does not take away from our struggles, but it helps to change our perspective and refocus on the good. This is something that can revitalize us to move forward.
Above all, the Citizen Scholar program is grateful for its wonderful students! You are the heart of the program and drive everything that we do. You constantly push us and inspire us, never failing to amaze us with your passion, curiosity, and compassion. The future is in good hands.
We are also so grateful for a wonderful faculty! For Dr. Moroski-Rigney’s willingness to take the lead of the program when things are at their craziest. For LaDonna Croffe’s bubbly spirit, encouraging videos, and constant support. For Leonora Paula’s dedication to shaping our Peer to Peer Mentorship program. To all of our faculty and staff, we appreciate you!
We are grateful for our student interns, who help make sure the program is serving students at its fullest potential. They help build the community of students and bring a fresh perspective at every meeting.
Finally, we are grateful for our chance to make a difference. We are lucky to have such bright students in our program, and we are helping to shape them into even brighter change-makers, who can listen, understand, and problem solve.
Thank you to our donors, faculty, administrators, students, and everyone in between! We hope you all have a wonderful and rejuvenating holiday.
