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Thanksgiving Junior Saints: Students draw and write about what they are thankful for

This is a detail of a drawing by Madison Pleta, a sixth grader at St. Columba School in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Her full drawing appears below in a section with Junior Saints writings and drawings submitted by her school. 

Since November is the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving, for the November Junior Saints, students in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington were invited to draw a picture and write about what they are thankful for.

 St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I’m thankful for my sister. She always helps me when I need help. Even when she is annoyed, she never will get very angry or have a negative attitude. When I ever need anything, she is always the first one to help me.” – Drawing and writing by Katie Morrison, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I have many things to be thankful for, but the thing I am most thankful for is my family. I am most thankful for my family because they are always there for me and help me when I need help. My family takes care of me and loves me. My brother is always helping me clean the kitchen. My sister has always been really funny and tells me jokes. My parents help me with my homework. They take me to all of my sports, and they pay for my school. Everyone in my family is special in their own way, and I love and am very thankful for them.”  Kate Schreiber, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

“I am thankful for my sisters. I have one twin sister who I always spend time with. One might think that that’s boring, but I am used to being with her. Sometimes I will just go into her room, and we will hang out. We might not even talk, but we will be in each other’s presence. I also have an older sister. I look up to her a lot. She is a senior in high school. She gives the best advice, and I can always talk to her. I love my sisters, and I am very thankful to have them in my life.” – Drawing and writing by Brooke Hughes, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I am thankful for the time I spend with my family. Whether it be on vacation or just talking during dinner, I’m thankful for the moments I share with them.” – Alexandra Hughes, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I am thankful for my family, including my pets. Even though I am thankful for most of the people around me, I am especially thankful for my family. I love my family with all my heart. They are always there for me.” – Drawing and writing by Isabelle Delgado, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“What I'm thankful for is my school and family. My family because they help me and support me. I like school because of friends, teachers, and the subjects. – Caroline Ramsdell, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I am thankful for my dog, because she is always there for me and just makes me happy that she is in my life. Dogs are very loyal, and that is why I like them a lot. When I come home from school and I’m tired, my dog will always run up to me, and I forget about how tired I was. My dog is great, even though she sometimes bites, but my family loves her and she loves us.” – Drawing and writing by Ali Bautista, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I am thankful for the nature around me. I think it is very important to care for all of God's creation and respect all living things. I am very thankful for my dog, Patches, who is the best dog a person could ever ask for. It is important to make sure all animals are safe, cared for and loved. That is what I am thankful for.” – Jude Buber, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda 

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“I am grateful to have a place to call home, clothes on my back, food to eat, and a family to call my own. I’m also grateful to have an education and friends.” – Drawing and writing by Jaylen Waddy, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“I’m grateful for my big brother, for my dog Princess, and my angel dog Aksel. I’m grateful for all of the good people in this world who want to help others.”– Drawing and writing by Cedria Boykins, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“I am very thankful for my family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. I love my family unconditionally. I can always count on my family, and they can always count on me. I am also thankful for my friends.” – Messai Rivers, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“I am grateful for having enough luck to be born in a great generation, in a great family.” – Kadence Johnson, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“I am grateful for life, because it lets me experience different things.” – Sirgei Dupree, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“I am thankful for my family, my life and God.” – Madison Russell, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

“November is a fall month, and the holiday Thanksgiving is in that month. Thanksgiving is a day when you give thanks and show grace.” – Drawing and writing by Lexus Butler, eighth grade, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Washington, D.C.

St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland

“As the month of November comes to a close, and each day brings us nearer to Thanksgiving, I’d like to share what I am most thankful for – my family. I love my family very much. They support me in all I do, play with me in the things I love, help me whenever I’m in need of assistance, and so much more. They all support me in everything that makes me happy and what is good for me, so I am very thankful for them for all the hard work they’ve done for me to keep me happy and safe. I want to appreciate them for everything they do for me, and just like they work hard for me, I wish to support them, too, to the best that I can.” – Drawing and writing by Arlo Pangilinan, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland

“I am thankful for volleyball because it keeps me healthy. The sport lets me make new friendships with people who love volleyball also. Volleyball brings me joy and lets me let out my stress in a positive way.” – Sophia Delarosa, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for my family helping when I can’t do it. I’m also thankful for my family being together and having a good time. I am thankful for God creating us. I am thankful for having friends and playing with each other. Also, I am thankful for being in these moments and being in this world.” – Drawing and writing by Damian Rodriguez, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for my family, food, my house, my school and all the people in my school, and most importantly, God. He has been keeping me and my family safe during this difficult time, and I am very thankful.” – Josette Amado, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’m thankful for my family, my house, my pets and my Savior.” – Drawing and writing by Shaniya Campbell, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“The thing I’m most thankful for, and will always be thankful for, is my family. I do everything and go everywhere with them. There’s nine of us, so it’s never really quiet in my house, but I’m used to that. My family has made me who I am today. When I’m having fun with my family, words can’t express how fun it is.” – Jonah Soriano,  eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for God watching over me and guiding me to do what I need to do. He is always there to protect me and keep me safe, while also keeping me from doing things I would regret.” – Drawing and writing by Tristan Carmichael, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for the people who make us food so everyone can eat.” – Ricky Marlow, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’m thankful for my family, because they’re always there for me and shaped the person I am today.” – Drawing and writing by Cabrina Fronda, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“In my opinion, family is the most important thing. They are the cure to problems you don’t know how to fix. They may be difficult sometimes, but they always want the best for you.” – Michael Hernandez, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for the beauty of nature God has given us. Nature inspires many, like myself and lets us admire something so beautifully natural.” – Drawing and writing by Hayden Estrella, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’m thankful for my best friends, because they make me happy and care about me.” – Georgiana Papouras, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’m grateful for the Earth and my family.” – Drawing and writing by Charli Blandford, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’m thankful for all the love I’ve gotten from my friends and family. I’m really thankful for them.” – Bryan Calderon, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’m thankful for pets. I have a dog at home, and she is really nice and loves kids… I am thankful to live and play with her every day, and I am thankful other kids get good pets and have fun with them, so I’m glad God brought them into the world.” – Drawing and writing by Aurora Downs, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am very thankful for the God-given ability to play basketball. And I’m also thankful for my family. They love me no matter what.” – Elijah Simpkins, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

Drawing by Audrey Batoon, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for my family and friends, because they bring happiness into my life.” – Tyra de Castro, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for my friends, my school, the house I live in, and our world.” – Drawing by Madison Pleta, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for my family, a house to live in, music for entertainment, the Earth, food to eat, a bed to sleep in, my teachers and learning. I am thankful for everything I have because God gave us everything.” – Lianna Gonzales, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I am thankful for my school and my church, my home, my friends and family, and lastly, my 1-year-old shih tzu.” – Drawing and writing by Nicaeya Florentino, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“Something that I’m thankful for are books! I enjoy reading and expanding my vocabulary. Opening up a new book is like finding out and reading about different realities or facts, depending on your preference, and obsessing over it until your next read. The cycle then continues!” – Lauren Cruz, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I feel that family and faith are at the top of my list, but I’ve noticed others using those… What I’ve always wanted to say is, I’m thankful for all kinds of motor sports.” – A.J. Capati, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

St. Mary of the Mills School, Laurel

“I am thankful for life. I am thankful for the people around me who have lives and life! I know sometimes life can feel awful, but it can be the little and the big things that make it all worthwhile. In fact life is a gift from God. I’m glad that my parents didn’t take this wonderful opportunity away from me. I am thankful for everything in my life.” – Drawing and writing by Payten Holt, seventh grade, St. Mary of the Mills School, Laurel, Maryland

“I am thankful for nature because it is beautiful. It is all part of God’s creation. It is our job to take care of all that God created and take time to appreciate it. I am thankful for the time I get to spend with nature. It helps me to relax and be calm and happy.” – Junia Tenney, seventh grade, St. Mary of the Mills School, Laurel

“I’m thankful for my dog, because she is very silly and makes me laugh. We got her during quarantine, and she helped make life stuck at home more interesting. Although she is a brat, she is also very sweet and protective. She’s very smart, but she tends to not apply her brainpower to useful things. We’ve had her for over a year now and she really makes things more lively.” – Drawing and writing by Nmesomachi Agoh, seventh grade, St. Mary of the Mills School, Laurel

“I am grateful for my mom for everything. She cared about me since the first second I was born. She is the reason why I’m here in seventh grade. My mom is the greatest person I could ever have. This is why I'm grateful for my mom.” – Philmon Solomon, seventh grade, St. Mary of the Mills School, Laurel

“I drew my friends because they are really important to me and I’m so thankful for them. They’ve supported me my whole life. They also are funny, smart and wonderful. I wouldn’t want to hang out with anyone else. They understand me, and I understand them.” – Drawing and writing by Katarina Raven, seventh grade, St. Mary of the Mills School, Laurel

The Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham, Maryland

Drawing by Bezankeng Khumbah, fifth grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham

Drawing by Korrine Wiseman, fifth grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham

Drawing by Sydney Esene, fifth grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham

“I am thankful for life, family, Jesus, friends, education, teachers and mercy.” – Drawing by Olivia Mesomachi Udebuala, fifth grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham 

Drawing by Keelyn Hadley, third grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham 

Drawing by Annelyn Njinkeng, second grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham 

Drawing by Annelle Njinkeng, second grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham 

Drawing by Emily Penado, second grade, the Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle, Lanham 

Another collection of Thanksgiving Junior Saints drawings and writings from Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons, St, Mary’s School of Piscataway in Clinton, Blessed Sacrament School in Washington and St. Jude Regional Catholic School in Rockville will be posted a few days before the holiday.

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December Junior Saints

In December we celebrate Christmas, when we prayerfully remember the birth of Jesus. For the December Junior Saints, draw a picture of the first Christmas, and write about what Christmas means to you.  The drawings and writings should be emailed to [email protected] by Thursday Dec. 9, 2021 to Mark Zimmermann, the Catholic Standard's editor, and they should include the name, grade and school or parish of the student printed clearly.

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