Season of Gratitude at Saint Leo University

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By Emily Dominguez, Contributing Writer

For many across the nation, Thanksgiving is the one time of year for friends and family to pause, set aside life’s everyday problems, distractions, and intrusions. It also gives people a chance to gather with family and friends, as well as reflect on what truly matters while enjoying a great meal.

Expressing and feeling gratitude is essential to life. Gratitude helps people feel more positively about life, relish in good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Saint Leo University students shared what they felt grateful for this year.

“[I’m grateful] to have built a loving and supportive group of friends and family that I can spend thanksgiving with,” said Megan Rowe, senior majoring in social work.

Social work senior Megan Rowe is grateful for her supportive community. (Photo was taken by Megan Rowe).

Rafael Soto, a senior majoring in political science, stated he’s thankful for his “family, girlfriend, and friends that are always so supportive of my goals.” He continued, “I’m so thankful for my education and the many opportunities I’ve had at Saint Leo.”

“I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness in my life and those around me. This year has been an unexpected one, but till this day, I can say I am blessed and have seen God work in signs and miracles,” political science senior Joana Cano said. “I have a family who supports me, friends who bring me closer to God and help me grow, and I’m learning every day to be less like myself and more like Jesus. There have been difficult times this year, but even through those moments, there is a reason why everything happens.”

Senior Joanna Cano is grateful for God for the amazing year she had. (Photo was taken by Joanna Cano).

Furthermore, Haizel Resendiz, student government union (SGU) senator and sophomore psychology major, stated that she’s grateful for “life, my family, friends, good health, a place to live, food, being able to work 20 hours for work-study, and all the good and bad in life because it has helped shaped me in who I am.”

Student Government Union senator Haizel Resendiz is grateful for the opportunities to work hard for something she loves. (Photo was taken by Haizel Resendiz).

Psychology sophomore Natalia Dixon is grateful for all of her friends at Saint Leo. (Photo was taken by Natalia Dixon).

“I’m grateful for all the fantastic friends I’ve made at Saint Leo,” says Natalia Dixon, a sophomore majoring in psychology.

“I’m grateful for all the incredible friendships I’ve made this year! I’m surrounded by many amazing people who bring out the best in me, and I couldn’t be happier!” Said Alicia Luecke, a junior studying marketing.

Junior Emily Luecke, Alicia’s sister, was nervous about transferring to Saint Leo, but is grateful for how welcoming everyone was. (Photo was taken by Emily Luecke)

Junior Alicia Luecke is grateful for the community she’s built at Saint Leo. (Photo was taken by Alicia Luecke)

Luecke’s twin sister, Emily, shared that she’s grateful for the “amazing group of friends I’ve made here at Saint Leo.” She said this is her first semester here as a junior majoring in digital

communication; therefore she was “so nervous about getting my footing at a new college. But the people I’ve met here were incredibly welcoming to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”

Let us all reflect and be thankful for all we have, it helps us to not take the little things for granted. At Saint Leo, students expressed that they’re grateful for what matters most: friends, family, opportunity, and God.

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