Kayla Ross, an event management and media production major from Springfield, Ohio, says she is grateful her HPU family. She joined other students who shared what they are thankful for as part of “The Gratitude Project.”
Annual Gratitude Project Provides Outlet to Express Thanks
HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 16, 2023 – In the Thanksgiving season, the High Point University family is counting their blessings and sharing what makes them feel grateful as part of “The Gratitude Project.” Through this annual campaign, students, faculty and staff document their blessings ahead of Thanksgiving.
This is the 13th year HPU has organized this project to provide everyone on campus an opportunity to pause, reflect and document their blessings by writing them down. Outside the Slane Student Center and at the cornucopia display in the Kester International Promenade, HPU students used special posterboard, markers and photo opportunities to express their gratitude for their family, friends, faculty and more.
When asked what they wrote down, students shared that they are thankful for their family, friends, HPU faculty and staff.
Jackson Young, a freshman entrepreneurship major from Mountain Brook, Alabama, joined a group of new friends as he held a sign showing gratitude for his dog Bolt, family, fall and sweet tea.
“It made me reflect on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and realize how grateful I am for how blessed I am,” said Young. “Being far away from home makes me miss the different things from home.”
Chase Gannon, a freshman from Mendham, New Jersey, showed his gratitude for the men and women who serve our country.
“They’re doing an honorable duty,” said Gannon. “Not many are willing to lay down their lives for the country. I think their sacrifice is for everyone’s benefit. A few friends of mine are in the Marine Corps and National Guard. I think they are brave, courageous and full of kindness in their hearts. They sacrifice a lot–years of their time, their bodies, their energy and their souls. I don’t know what else to say but thank you.”
Angelina Lappin, a sophomore Spanish major from Albemarle, North Carolina, wrote the message: Love your family while you’re close, remember when you’re away.
“About a year ago, my grandmother passed away in California,” said Lappin. “While many people have family close by here, I’m very grateful to even have family at all. When you’re growing up, make sure that you value the family you’re able to see every morning. And while you’re here, remember that they raised you and that there are parts of them with you. I love this campus and am very honored to be here. I’m grateful for my family and their constant support.”
“I’m so thankful for my family and I’m grateful that they continue to support me throughout college,” said Caroline Cubas, a sophomore dance major from Richlands, North Carolina. “I’m thankful my family loves supporting me in dance.”
Having support for the arts was also important for Natalie Weston, a freshman dance and psychology major and musical theatre minor from Greensboro, North Carolina.
“I already had a lot of opportunities to audition,” said Weston. “I got into the fall dance concert and am really excited for that. I got to work on my improv skills because I auditioned and got into the Charcoal Pony improv group. I’ve had a lot more opportunities to audition and get onstage to perform than I had in my years of high school. In my first semester of college, I’ve had a lot of performance opportunities, and I’m grateful HPU has all that.”
“To be honest, there are many things I’m lucky enough to be grateful for so that’s why I wrote down that I’m grateful for the opportunity to live my life every day,” said Julian Sardo, a junior history major from Chicago, Illinois.
Nia Walwyn, a senior psychology major from Bermuda, said she was grateful for the HPU staff and the ability to be part of The Gratitude Project this year. She and Mary Barnes, a senior educational studies major and hospitality minor from New Egypt, New Jersey, said they had been in class and unable to stop by during previous Gratitude Projects.
“I remember seeing this when I first came here and thought I would love to participate,” said Walwyn.
Sophia Sorrentino, a junior hospitality major from Staten Island, New York, said she is grateful for her parents, sister, roommate and alumni scholarships.
“I love being able to show my thanks for everything that I have,” said Sorrentino. “I’m very grateful for being here and I’m glad that I could be promoting that.”
Marcus Biggs, a sophomore criminal justice major from Washington, D.C., said he is grateful for family and friends.
“I always think back to my family and my friends because they’ve supported me for all my life,” said Biggs. “If it weren’t for my family I probably wouldn’t be here. Their constant and unconditional support really helps me through my day.”
“For me, Thanksgiving is always about family and friends, and spending time with people you care about,” said Barrett Odom, a junior communication and theater double major from Arlington, Virginia. “You don’t have all the time in the world for everyone, and it’s about making that time for family and friends. The people around you, family and friends, deserve to know how much you care about them and how much you love them.”
Jasmine Henderson, a sophomore marketing major from Laurel, Maryland, wrote that she is grateful for HPU’s campus concierge.
“I am a concierge employee and I also use them constantly, whether it’s booking a shuttle for airports during fall break, Thanksgiving, Christmas break or helping with any question I have as far as campus enhancement and keeping our campus beautiful,” said Henderson.
Quinn Fletcher, a senior international business major from Half Moon, New York, said she is grateful for HPU donors.
“I just think it is amazing after all their work that led them to where they are today for them to provide students with the opportunities we have on this campus and scholarships to further our education at High Point University,” said Fletcher.
“The first thing I’m thankful for is my family but I feel like that’s a generic answer, and I’m really grateful for my friends,” said Alexa Eaddy, a freshman sports media major from Hilton Head, South Carolina. “The friends have I made here are wonderful and they really got me out of my shell.”
Meghan Leahy, a sophomore marketing major from Amherst, New Hampshire, said being away from home makes her more grateful for her family.
“I saw everyone else writing parents on their card and decided to expand that to everyone in the family,” said Leahy.
Hannah Parson, a senior political science major and English major from Orlando, Florida, and Kaylin Lafleche, a senior interior design major from Severna Park, Maryland, wrote each other’s names on posterboards and posed together for a photo. Parson, who is HPU’s Student Government Association president, said they both happened to stop by the Gratitude Project after they met during their freshman year.
“We’ve come so far since then so now we’re super close friends, thanks to HPU, the Honors Program and everything else,” said Parson.
“It was so funny how we took that picture when we just met and were starting out,” said Lafleche. “Four years later, we have lived together in the same house for at least three years. It’s cute to look back and see how our friendship has grown.”
Melia Hopkins, a sophomore exercise science major from Greensboro, North Carolina, was grateful for HPU President Nido Qubein.
“With President Qubein, I’m thankful about how everything on campus is designed to be intentional, which can be very motivating to me especially when I have a bad day,” said Hopkins.
Enijah Vaughan, a freshman biology major from Emporia, Virginia, said she is grateful for her tutors.
“Because I was struggling at the beginning of the semester and I really needed my tutors,” said Vaughan. “They helped me a lot.”