What Students, Faculty and Staff Were Thankful for This Year

Published: 11/24/2020

We asked our students, faculty and staff what they are thankful for this year. Sure, 2020 has been a challenging one. However, there is still plenty of hope out there!

"I am thankful for my husband and daughter. Without them, my world would not turn. I am thankful for my three dogs. They put a smile on my face every day. I am thankful my family is healthy right now. We have been through a lot, but we've made it through the tough times and are closer because of it." - Char Valenti, SCC police dispatcher.


"I am thankful for my friends, who support me wholeheartedly. I am thankful for having a roof over my head, running water, warm and homemade meals, some of which I haven't always had. I am thankful for services that assist my siblings in gaining access to Christmas gifts, where they otherwise may have not been able to get them. Finally, I am thankful for every little moment I get where I feel happy, positive and joyful - determined to keep on going and to move on forward, even when times are tough." - Eli Newsham, student.


" I am thankful that I had been pushed out of my comfort zone. I am thankful for re-finding the beauty, the peace, and the time of a talk with a neighbor or a conversation with a friend. I am thankful for a bicycle ride with my son and for being able to hold my husband hand while we walked in a new outdoorsy area. I am thankful for having time to read five extra books to my daughter every night, cuddle with her and fall sleep snuggling with her. I am thankful for having my students, I am thankful for their time, hard work and personalities. I am thankful for having a job and being healthy. I am thankful for science, nature, and love." - Dr. Maria Breitman, biology instructor.


"I’m very thankful for my little sister being my best friend with being 6 years and three days apart. She is one of my many big supporters with school, don’t know where I would be without her. I’m also thankful for you guys here at SCC with my journey and it’s bittersweet that it’s my final semester here. Thankful for all of the staff and professors I had to teach me many things in life." - Brittany DeAngelis, student. 

"I'm very thankful for the fact that I have a job that allows me to work at home yet keep contact with others during this pandemic. I'm also thankful for this extra time I've had with my family." - Lisa Stoner, psychology professor.


"I have a beautiful, loving wife, two wonderful (albeit ornery) children and two silly dogs. Spending more time with them over the last several months has been a blessing." - Jay Scherder, director of marketing and communications.


"This year, I am extremely thankful for the health and wellness of my friends and family. getting to see people I love (even if it is through Zoom), and I am thankful for my teachers for helping students like me persevere through these hard times. I am also thankful for the mental health resources that were given to students during this hard time." - Kristen Keene, student.


"I am thankful for my family, friends, colleagues, students, work, health, the blessing of a new day and the opportunity to do the best I can each day." - Deepika Jogmohan, computer science associate professor.


"I am thankful for the freedom we have in America to worship where we want to and for the health and happiness of my family." - Theo Feeney, student center assistant.


"I am thankful for our faculty and staff for all they have been doing to support our students during the pandemic. They are amazing!" - Dr. Holly Martin, vice president for academic affairs.


"2020 has been a crazy year; however, I am thankful for my new knee and my new grandson Cooper!" – Gina Welch, housekeeper.


"I'm thankful that I get to spend more time with my amazing, talented children. My daughter made me a beautiful ceramic piece of art during the pandemic!" - Anis McLin-Morris, psychology adjunct instructor.


"I am extremely thankful to be attending SCC. This has been a terrible year with COVID-19 and my oldest son dying in August. However, it has been great to have school I can depend on for some stability in my life. - Dana Wallin, student.


"I am truly grateful for the AEL staff, AEL instructors, AEL volunteers, and our AEL students. In this unprecedented time I am full of pride on how our program has worked through colossal changes and fought to serve all of our students. I am grateful that every single person working with AEL students always keeps the success of students as top priority. I am thankful and grateful to work with such dedicated folks and such aspiring students." - Mandy Rose, AEL associate dean.