Stonehill Stories of Thanks
November 22, 2010
Educational Opportunity: I am thankful for the opportunity to attend college. In my family, only my dad has gone to college and he and my mom have made a great life for me and my two sisters (who will most likely go to college someday). I am thankful that I have such wonderful parents and grandparents that inspire me to do my very best in everything that I do. If I ever write a book, it doesn't matter whether it is centered on politics, history, religion, philosophy, etc. My parents and grandparents will hold the dedication. Anthony Ardizzone '14
Growth: I have been blessed in so many ways over the past year. Friendships have blossomed, family has flourished. I am a Crossings Minister in Corr Hall and have had the amazing opportunity of meeting and mentoring new and fresh first year students, and old and foolish sophomores. Above all things, this thanksgiving, I am thankful for Stonehill College. Stonehill is my home. I am thankful for all the opportunities to grow I have been given. At Stonehill, I have found happiness and fulfillment like never before in a land of simply three hundred and seventy five acres. Happy Thanksgiving, Stonehill. William Keough '13
Top Doctors: I am thankful that I live in the Boston area and have been able to be treated by some of the top Doctors in the world for Breast Cancer, and now my husband is being treated as well for Prostate cancer. I am thankful that my 25 year old son Daniel came back safely from an intense 6 month mission in the Middle East with the United States Air Force. I am thankful that my other son David( who is a Stonehill Grad, Class of 2002, working for Shields MRI Centers) has met a wonderful young woman to be his wife and for their beautiful wedding at the Catholic Center of Bridgewater State College. I am thankful for the opportunity to work at Stonehill College for over 17 years with so many wonderful people! I am also very thankful for my Catholic faith which has helped me and continues to help me through some very challenging and stressful times. Terri Mackey, Information Technology
Helping Others: This Thanksgiving I am very thankful for my family, and for my health. In working with the ABS leaders and with PRIDE, I have been able to help a ton of people feel comfortable at Stonehill and in their own skins, and for this I am thankful. This year I have grown up a lot, and realized that it isn't really all about me! Life is only worth living if you live it for others, and for that I have given up so much of my time to work with other students towards making Stonehill the best it can possibly be! I am so thankful that I have made the choices I have made to be a good person, and that I can look in the mirror and love what I see. In working with all of these amazing people, I have come across a lot of students who have experienced the loss of a loved one, have has misfortunes beyond what I could ever imagine, and have been bullied in the past. I am so thankful to have my wonderful family with me, as imperfect as we may be! Growing up my mom always taught me that there is NOTHING more important that being a good person, and this year that finally clicked for me. I am so happy to realize what I have, and how much love I am surrounded by. I am also thankful to be a Skyhawk!! No really, I am in college, I have a warm residence hall to sleep in, I have great food every day... I have it made! This is the life that millions of people want for so badly, and may never have. I realize this all the time (especially when someone I know complains about having to drive her Mercedes to school!!!), and can only attempt to show others what we have. I guess I am just all around thankful for the life I lead, and for the choices I have made. Stonehill is shaping me into a thoughtful young woman, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me! Julie Kelly '13
Food & Laughter: I am thankful this Thanksgiving for being in good health. Last year at this time I was extremely sick, ended up in the hospital and almost lost my life. Thanksgiving dinner with my family members was cancelled and my husband and I just spent a quiet day at home. We had hot turkey sandwiches for dinner. This year I am healthy and looking forward to spending the day with my family members, sharing good food and lots of laughs. This year I am extremely thankful for not only my health, but my family's health as well. Katherine Giovanni, Campus Police
Emotional Support: I am thankful for the opportunities that my family has provided me. They have always been supportive of my quest in life. I have been very gifted to have such a supportive family who has provided me with everything that I need in life and with the funds and mean to accomplish my goals. I'm thankful that I am able to attend Stonehill and that the money isn't a complete burden on me individually because of the support of my family. I wouldn't be here without their support financially and emotionally. Abbott Kelly '13
Real Essentials: This Thanksgiving I will be very thankful for the food on my table. It sounds so cliché but in this day and age real food can be a luxury. This past year has been a huge struggle for me and I usually wind up putting "groceries" at the bottom of my list of expenses, mostly because it can be variable and manipulated. The real essentials to survive this life are shelter, transportation, heat and light. Naturally food comes before the cell phone and basic cable television, but perhaps because those expenses are "fixed" I pay those bills before I grocery shop. Naturally we always have something to eat, but it isn't always the "square meal" that my mother put on the table every night. So this Thanksgiving Day I will truly appreciate all the traditional dishes that my family and I will prepare. Ursula Gorman, Center for Academic Achievement
Best Buddies: I'm thankful for Yawkey House of Possiblities (HOPe) at Stonehill, which my son attends daily. HOPe provides needed services to the adult special needs population and offers a welcoming setting for assistance with daily living tasks with the goal of independent living. HOPe is also a social environment where these young adults "hang out" with volunteer "best buddies" from Stonehill creating a sense of belonging to a community. It's a wonderful opportunity for which I'm very grateful. Geri Sheehan, MacPhaidin Library
Travel: This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the opportunity to be studying abroad in Ireland. I am thankful to have made new friends from Stonehill who have become like family to me over the past few months. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to live in a brand new culture, and to have had the chance to travel throughout Europe. Most of all, I am thankful that I go to a school which provided me with the opportunity to be living this incredible experience. Alexandra Kay '12
Love: This Thanksgiving I am thankful because I am loved. Victoria Sidoti '14
Global Family: My family isn't your ordinary family. My parents live in England, my brother lives in Indonesia, and my sister lives in the place I call home: Vermont. This will be my first Thanksgiving without my parents, but that doesn't mean it's not a time to give thanks. This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for the Stonehill community who has become my second family. I'm thankful for my friends back home in Vermont who have graciously opened up their houses for me to stay over this holiday break. Lastly, I'm thankful to have a family that supports and love each other. Jack Bressor '13
Change: Unfortunately, a terrible cascade of events followed my parent's choice to have our roof redone. The contractor walked off the job and a dreadful rainstorm flooded our vulnerable home days later. We were quickly forced to live elsewhere because of the toxic mold that contaminated nearly the entire home. Obviously this string of events changed my personality and outlook on life. During my childhood the only adults that played a significant role in my life were my parents. This experience not only illustrated how quickly life can change, but also that you should stand up for what you believe in. Ryan Fitzgibbon '12
God's Love: I pride myself in always being thankful, but this past year life has not been a bed of roses. My mother has Alzheimer's disease, I worry terribly about my elderly father, who refuses to stop driving; one sister has Colon cancer and another has Emphysema. Out of six siblings, my younger brother and I take care of our parents. Some might question my ability to be thankful, but each morning when I wake I am blessed with God's mercy.This Thanksgiving I am blessed with family and friends; with reasonably good health and a strong mind. Regardless to what life throws at me, I know that God loves me and for that I am THANKFUL! Jean Hamler, Planning & Institutional Research
From the Ashes: ...About three weeks before the start of school ... my family tragically lost much of our home in a fire. At first, all I could see was our severely burned home but quickly realized I had to be thankful that all of my family members made it out safely. The outpouring of support and love from our friends gave me even more to be thankful for. Their reaction to our loss has made the recovery process more positive than I ever imagined it could be Anonymous student
Great Support: I am thankful to have so many people supporting me and who love me to a great extent. My parents, brothers, friends and professors have always been there for me. I was recently in a car crash, and the amount of support from everyone was astounding. The professors were helpful and caring, as were the administrators. They personally sent me and my friends letters letting us know how much they care. I am truly grateful for all the caring and loving people that surround me at home and in this community. I wouldn't be the same without them. Katherine Hitch '14
Cherishing Time: Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, filled with family, food, and fun. The true meaning of Thanksgiving and what you are thankful for varies for each person. I am thankful for being able to spend time with the family. To me it is very important to cherish every moment and be thankful for what you have. Two years ago I was challenged with the most difficult obstacle in my life and this month I celebrate the two-year anniversary of survival. I now reflect back and think about how lucky I am to be celebrating this lovely holiday with the people I love and deeply care about. This Thanksgiving, Thursday November 25, 2010, think about how fortunate you are to have a delicious meal with the most important people in your life, your family. Lindsay Aldorisio '14
Our Soldiers: I am extremely thankful this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for those men and women who are fighting for our freedom; one of those men being my brother. He is in Afghanistan currently at age 20. As a US Marine he is in a dangerous place fighting everyday so that I can be sitting here enjoying my college education. There is nothing I am more thankful for this Thanksgiving than my brother and his fellow marines and all military men and women. Alexandra DiGiammarino '14
My Parents: This year I have many more things than usual to be thankful about when I sit down at the Thanksgiving Day table. First of all, my parents have enabled me to attend such an amazing school, where I can reach my full potential and become the business man I hope to be. Also, my brother, niece, and nephew were in a car accident this past Friday, fortunately they are all safe and sound at home. Finally, my cousin, who is also my best friend, is serving in the Air Force and he is alive and well serving our country. Ryan O'Shaughnessy '14
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