With Thanksgiving approaching, Ledyard High School students have a lot to be

thankful for. Whether the items we are grateful for are big or small, it is always

important to express gratitude for the things in our lives. According to the article, Gratitude

Enhances Health, Brings Happiness- And May Even Lengthen Lives, by Maureen Salamon,

Executive Editor for Harvard’s Women’s Health Watch, expressing gratitude helps emotional

well-being, improves sleep quality, lowers depression, and provides positive signs in

cardiovascular health. Being thankful and verbally expressing that is extremely beneficial, and

LHS students love to show their gratitude. Let’s hear from some of the students about what they

are thankful for this November. 

Freshman Nicole Bunay is thankful that she got accepted into Ledyard High School.

Bunay applied to Ledyard for the Ag-Science program, and it has been a great experience for her.

“I enjoy my agriculture classes. They have taught me a lo,t and I made a lot of new friends,”

Bunay says. The Ag-Science program is a great opportunity for students from other towns to go to

Ledyard and learn about agriculture. Ledyard students, like Bunay, are very thankful to have that

learning opportunity. 

Sophomore Hunter Lupo is thankful for his family and friends. Specifically, he shouted

out junior Cullen Goss. Lupo said, “I have known him my whole life, and he is just a great

friend.” Friendships are an important part of high school, and having amazing friends that have

been growing up with you is a very valuable thing. Long-lasting friendships should be cherished. 

Junior Lia D’Amato is thankful for her family. Specifically, D’Amato is thankful

for her mom. “My mom is always there to listen to me and is always there to talk to. She is my

biggest supporter at my games,” said D’Amato. D’Amato is also thankful for her favorite singer,

Drake. She said, “He has gotten me through every hard time in my life; he has a song for

everything. When I was struggling with an essay, I was able to quote Drake!” Sometimes it is

important to be thankful for the small things that get us through the day, like music and those who

create it. D’Amato is definitely in a grateful mindset this November. 

Finally, senior Benjamin Wolford is thankful for Ms. O’Brien, who is one of the history

teachers. “She helped me through AP US history, even in hard times,” Wolford said. Teachers at

LHS work so hard and have done so much to help the students succeed, and Ms. O’Brien is a

perfect example of that. Whether teachers stay after to help students or answer late-night emails

about assignments, it always has a positive impact on students’ education and high school

experience. 

Ledyard students are making sure that they acknowledge the things that they are fortunate

enough to have. This November, gratitude has been a major focus, and we are finding that in all

aspects of our lives. Expressing gratitude can help people feel more appreciative for what they

have, and it will place more value on certain things people love. What were you thankful for 

this November?

Junior Skylar Cimino is a staff writer for the 2025-2026 Colonel News Magazine. She enjoys playing softball, listening to music, and going to the beach.