• Happy Thanksgiving

    Students, faculty and staff at Bellefonte Area School District chime in to say just what they're thankful for this year.

  • Noah Aberegg, junior
    I am thankful for the help and support of every single teacher and faculty member within the high school and the entire district. In the crazy world we are living in, they are pushing through and doing so much to help us learn and grow each and every day. We would not be able to do it without them! I am also so thankful for my family, for they are always there to support me and help and care for me with whatever I am doing. And last but not least, I am thankful for all of the friendships I have made. Friends are what help you get through the day, especially at school, and being able to see people each day, even if we can't see their smiling faces, makes everyday so much better!

    Becca Burns, sophomore
    I am thankful for a good school year so far, and that we can be in school, and not remote. I am also thankful for the staff, teachers, faculty, custodians, coaches and people who work hard to make the school and town a better place.

    Carley Clarkson, sophomore
    I am extremely thankful for our military who risk their lives each and every day. I don’t think we remember enough how much we have to be thankful for, including the little things. I am also thankful for genuine and kind people. We never know what people are going through and I think we should always take that into consideration. 

    Farzona Djuraeva, junior (foreign exchange student from Uzbekistan)
    fdThis is my first Thanksgiving day, and I'm thankful for everything and all the chances I have in my life. First of all, I'm thankful to be in United States and that that I have been placed in Bellefonte. Also, I'm thankful for amazing friends I made here and friends from my home country who cheer me up and are happy for me. I'm incredibly grateful to my program for this opportunity to live and discover American culture, way of life and new chances in my life.

    Second-grade students in Nicole Harris' class at Benner Elementary School worked on a Thanksgiving Flipgrid project, where students explained the things they're grateful for. It included being thankful for dads who like to fish; moms who are nice; parents who are loving; teachers; family because of their love; food and toys because other kids might not have them; pets because they're cute and make them happy; pierogis because they're yummy; snow days; Oreo ice cream cake; and more. Learn more, here: Flipgrid
    flipgrid

    First-grade students in Bree Fogleman's class at Bellefonte Elementary School made a word cloud of the things they're thankful for.
    wct
    Christian Larson, freshman
    clThis year, I am thankful for everything I have! I am thankful for my friends who make me laugh, a family that I can talk to, teachers that are knowledgeable, education that is exceptional, water that is clean, food that is warm, pets that are loving and more. As more people get sick from COVID-19, I am also grateful for the vaccines and my great health! Around these times, cold weather starts to come and I am reminded that we should also be grateful for a warm home! Although I have only listed a few commodities that I am grateful for, there are many more. 

    Makenna Mason, freshman
    mmI am thankful for all of my friends and family. I am so thankful that I have my friends. Without them I have no clue where I would be now. Each one of my friends brings out a different part of me. When I am sad they all know how to cheer me up. When I am mad they know how to calm me down. If I am happy they know how to make me laugh even more than I already am. I am thankful for my family because they are my best friends. My mom and my dad are the people who have raised me. They always want what's best for me. My siblings are my safe place. They are my personal cheerleaders. They are always there for me in any situation. I can't remember a time where they weren't there. My friends and family have shaped me as a person. I love them all very much. I am so thankful for them. I couldn't ask for even more perfect friends and family.

    Brienna Ruffner
    I'm thankful for friends who keep me going.

    Evelyn St. Amant, freshman
    This year I am thankful for a woman VP. I am also thankful for all of my friends who keep me going and make me happy.

    Josiah Teeter, sophomore
    I'm thankful for the people in my life that encourage me to try my best.

    Claire Topper, senior
    I am incredibly thankful for my family. We’re so close and I feel like over this pandemic we have only gotten closer. They are always there to support me and I know I couldn’t do life without them. I will be very sad to leave them for college later next year, but they have been so helpful and supportive in my college application process, so I hope to go away and make them proud!

    John Walters, sophomore
    I'm thankful for all of the friends I've made in the past year. Last year, I was almost completely virtual and knew very few people. Now, that I'm actually at school, I've had the opportunity to meet people. I've met so many kind, fun, smart and supportive people, and I'm thankful for every single one of them.

    Rachel White, senior
    I'm thankful for my family and friends. I'm also thankful for the food we have. I'm thankful for that stuff because some people might not have food, family and friends that they can be with or eat with during the holidays.
  • Kaysey Beury: English teacher, BAHS
    kbI am thankful this year for great colleagues who are willing to step up and help someone else in need. I have been out sick for several days and my coworkers, coteacher and various colleagues have helped get my lessons to my sub, worked with my students at tutoring, made copies and emailed me student work, so I could grade it, and communicated progress with me while I have been out. It takes a village to do what we do, and in this profession, you need a strong village to lift each other up when the world is beating you down. I am thankful I get to be a part of the high school village at Bellefonte. I am also thankful for sick days. I am tired of being sick at home, but I appreciate that I have them to use when others in this situation do not.
     
    Carla Cipro: Video production teacher, BAHS
    Thankful for my loving family, a nice neighborhood to live in and the privilege to work in a creative field where I can share those passions with others.
     
    Kim Gasper: Special education teacher, BAHS
    I am thankful every day on this earth for my son, Jonathan. I didn't think being a mom was part of God's plan for me, but he let me know it was in his time, not mine. Also, I am thankful daily for my family and their support through the good and trying times. Finally, I am thankful to be able to live in this beautiful area and enjoy the many outdoor activities it provides.
     
    Lori Horner: Sixth-grade learning support paraeducator
    I am thankful for my job and the benefits I have that have allowed me in the last several years to be able to take time off when my father has been ill or hospitalized.  Being able to be there for him and my mom gave us all peace of mind. I am also grateful for my very caring colleagues who checked in with me and sent thoughtful texts and emails to let me know they were thinking of me and my family. I feel very blessed!
     
    Jess Ketner: Life skills support teacher, Pleasant Gap Elementary School
    I'm very thankful for supportive parents. Being a teacher seems to be getting harder and harder, but when you have parents who trust you and are supportive, it makes one part of the job a little easier -- and these days, if we can make anything easier, I'll take it!
     
    Jess Lloyd: English teacher, BAHS
    I'm thankful for anyone who reaches out to the "underdogs" and helps them realize how important they truly are!
     
    Brit Milazzo: Director of public relations
    MilazzoI'm thankful for a lot this year, but something that stands out for me more recently are people who have positive attitudes, respect, a hard work ethic and general human decency. I think a person's good attitude and gracious way he or she responds to a situation when faced with adversity is really admirable.
     
    Chris Morris: History teacher, BAHS
    I am thankful for the following this year:
    1. Overall health and wellbeing of my family
    2. Chance to be able to teach and interact with my students in person
     
    Arlin Roth: Instructional technology specialist
    arlinEach Thanksgiving my family gets together to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, and cranberries with jello. For dessert, we have pumpkin pie and chocolate pie with lots of Reddi-whip. We spend time catching up and laughing over memories and stories. There are seven granddaughters in my family and two great-grandsons. When the girls were younger, afternoon entertainment included wrestling Uncle Arlin. Last year was the first year that we did not get together as a family for Thanksgiving due to COVID. During the past year, a couple of my friends had a parent die from COVID. This year, I will be especially thankful for time with my parents and family and be reminded of how precious and fragile life is and how important it is to find something to be thankful for each day. 
     
    Wendy Sparks: Marion-Walker Elementary School
    My family and I have recently moved from Oklahoma. I am grateful for our new home, new friends and spectacular scenery!
     
    Jackie Wynkoop: Secondary literacy coach
    I'm thankful for books! They are the ultimate form of empathy. Good books are needed now more than ever!