Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Onward State! Aside from you readers, here is what our staff is thankful for this year.

Aaron Andrews: I’m thankful for my amazing family who makes coming home during Thanksgiving break one of the best parts of my year. I’m thankful for the new friends I’ve made this year and the old friends who will be there for life. I’m thankful that in a few months I’ll see the Steelers in The Super Bowl and in a few weeks my fantasy football team will win it all. I’m grateful for tickets to see the most highly anticipated movie of all time on opening night. Han shot first. I’m thankful for my three-and-a-half years of education at Penn State and for the professors and classmates that have made it unforgettable. I’m thankful for another year at Findlay and for an elite Good2Go squad. Lastly, I’m thankful for my extended family at Onward State who have allowed me to do my favorite thing in the world.

Aaron Sulpizio: First and foremost I am extremely thankful for being able to attend the greatest school in the world. I am also thankful for the amazing people I have met, the friends I have made, and my girlfriend. I am also thankful for Au Bon Pain’s chicken pomodoro.

Adair Fleming: I’m thankful that I fell in love with my school the moment I entered the collegiate ghetto we call East Halls. I’m thankful for my roommates, and that they too consume a stupid amount of instant mashed potatoes without fear of judgment. I’m thankful for my parents, who are currently standing a few feet away making a pumpkin pie that I am also very thankful for. I am thankful for my sister’s cats, Yin and Yang, that are having a sleepover at my house this Thanksgiving. She will not be thankful that I am stealing them. I’m thankful for cheese. I’m thankful for the paths Penn State has laid in front of me, and I’m thankful that I’m not sure which path to take yet. Lastly, I’m thankful that I’ve met people that I’m able to call “my people.”

Alex Bauer: I am thankful for precisely 3 things: 1) I am thankful for Coffee, the beautiful bean-based sludge that allows my mind to create to the wonders, yea. 2) I am thankful for my roommate John Fitzgerald Kennedy who makes delicious beverages in massive quantities in my kitchen. 3) I am thankful for the JoePa statue which will one day sit in my bedroom, starring at me in approval as I sleep.

Alex Robinson: I’m thankful for tequila bars in The City That Never Sleeps that become my best friend after I watch a James Franklin-coached football team. I’m immensely thankful for sludge, the Bush family (all balled up), instant rap airhorns, Afromerica and all the stupid jokes my friends and I come up with and then beat into the ground. I’m thankful for my friends that are always there to support me when I need picked up. I’m thankful for my girlfriend and the fact that she deals with me annoying the hell out of her, and that she still loves me after all the dumb things we both do. And finally, I’m thankful for Kanye West because he’s Kanye West. #KanyeSaquon2020

Allison Doluisio: I’m thankful for all the opportunities Penn State has provided me with in my short year and a half I have been here including being able to write with this awesome group of people. I am thankful for all my wonderful and weird friends who are both here on campus and plane rides away. I am so thankful for my incredible family and especially my parents who are the world’s most supportive and generous people. I am also very thankful for West’s cookies and Irving’s bagels, which constantly are the reason I get through the week. Most of all, I am thankful for being able to walk around the most beautiful campus ever everyday and know I have two and half years left to make the most of.

Anna Foley: I’m thankful for eel avocado rolls, black tights, and purple lipstick. I’m thankful for my family, because they still seem to like me after twenty-one years. I’m thankful for my insane, goofy, and loving group of friends. I’m thankful for the Hamilton soundtrack. I’m thankful that after three different majors and dozens of existential crises, I know what I want to do with my life. I’m thankful that I can now cry in public with zero regrets. I can tell you one thing I’m not thankful for– this is the last time I’m telling you all what I’m thankful for on this blog. What a long, weird, magical ride it’s been.

Ben Berkman: I’m thankful for republican presidential debates and Penn State basketball’s 2016 recruiting class.

Ben Rappaport: Here are things I am thankful for in rapid fire succession in no specific order and with no explanations: Steph Mock, my family, my friends, my dog, all dogs, music, Kanye West, Wilco, Sufjan Stevens, shoes, feather pillows, twitter, the Internet, Donald Glover, Tom Brady, JFK, Pat Chambers, Penn State, college in general, Alpha Kappa Psi, the Business Building, Bill Simmons, polarized sun glasses, Onward State, hot takes, live music, hookah bars, basketball, hats, Kauai, posters, stickers, soft towels, Ciroc, Obama, the city of Philadelphia, light up keyboards, HBO, noise canceling headphones, Jameson, Passion Pit, Dogfish Head Brewery, the raised lawn outside Thomas Building, the moon, home cooked meals, really expensive restaurant meals, super cheap drunk food, poetry being in motion, He Got Game, Japan, Matt Damon, reading, Wings Over, Chance the Rapper, Ronaldinho, sarcasm, Saquon Barkley, cigars, Beaver Hill apartments, Movin’ On, Made In America, free styles, this free style in particular, me, and you.

Cade Reed: I’m thankful for Christian Hackenberg. The Penn State community does not appreciate him for everything he has done for the football program and the university as a whole. His commitment (and how he honored it) played a big part in keeping Penn State football afloat. Approaching what could be his last few games and having just seen him in Beaver Stadium for maybe the last time, it is important to remember that we were lucky to have him. He will always be my favorite Penn Stater, for staying committed, for his 51-second drive against Michigan two years ago, for his Pinstripe Bowl performance, and someday for representing Penn State well in the NFL. Thank you, Hack.

Caitlin Gailey: I’m thankful for my family, for being incredibly supportive and always answering my phone calls, no matter how frequent, long, or annoying they may be. For my roommates and Saturday tailgates, even though I’ve missed a few this semester.I’m thankful for my fellow interns for helping me improve and for the opportunity to watch football games from the field. I’m especially thankful for quesadillas, cheese-its, and, most importantly, Irving’s bagels for giving me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Caitlyn Edgell: This Thanksgiving, I’m incredibly thankful for my friends and family who I’ve only grown closer to over the years. I’m thankful for all of the opportunities that Penn State has to offer and for the friends that I’ve made here. Most importantly, I’m thankful for the love of Jesus and His graciousness. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

Carolyn Popescu: I’m thankful for being part of a media outlet that puts me into contact with so many facets of campus. Onward State helped me get my ass outta my East Halls chamber cell and really experience the world of Penn State. Oh, and just as important: Irving’s breakfast sandwiches, The Mix being opened until midnight, and the fact it hasn’t been horrendously cold (YET.)

Claire Going: I’m thankful for my wonderful parents for supporting me through everything, and for my sisters who are both my role models and best friends. I am unbelievably thankful for my new Penn State family who has helped make my first semester at Penn State feel like home. I’m grateful for Friendsgiving, the start of a new tradition, and the good food and good company we’ll share over this break. I am proud and thankful that I get to write for the most-read student media organization in the country, which has taught me more in one semester than I learned in all four years of English class in high school.

Dana Lipshutz: I’m thankful that anywhere I go from my apartment is an uphill walk so that my calves are as toned as ever. I am thankful that my parents never produced a third child and allowed me to have youngest child syndrome. I am thankful for Penn State and the opportunities it gives me, and my friends who let me brag about Penn State and said opportunities. But most of all, I am thankful for the fact that Taylor Swift is taking a break from music and that Beyoncé never will.

David Abruzzese: I’m thankful for a lot of things in my life, because when I take a step back and take a look, I’m a lucky guy. I’m thankful for both my blood family and Onward State family. I’m thankful for my girlfriend and everything about her. I’m thankful for my friends, and the opportunities and experiences Onward State has provided me in allowing me to have a palpable impact on the community, and I’m thankful for good health and good fortune. Cheers to a fantastic end to 2015, and cheers to an even better 2016. Thanks for reading, everybody. It means the world.

Drew Klingenberg: Here are some of things I have to come to be thankful for at Penn State: No cover at Pickle’s or Primanti’s, Onward State writers Sara Civian and David Abruzzese dating so I may get a glimpse at what true love looks like, Cafe’s Skillet Fries, the Willard Preacher for reassuring me that I’ll be assuming my place in hell in due time, the magical man that delivers the Pokey Stix or Wings Over to my door at 2 a.m., America for being the best dang country the world has ever seen, the random kid that printed porn to my roommate’s wireless printer (laughed for a good week), and most importantly, Onward State for hiring me as a writer and it’s staffers for being awesome colleagues and friends, as well as my sister and parents for being the best people I know.

Doug Dooling: I am thankful for all the wonderful friends and professors I have met through Penn State Law. I am also thankful that our species developed on Earth and not Saturn, where a day lasts only ten hours and I wouldn’t be able to handle that time constraint.

Doug Leeson: I’m thankful for the opportunity to show off that I’m pretending this holiday means more to me than just eating stuffing. I’m also thankful for Frozen, the Loik-Berger-Brooks line, Tetris, Paul McCartney and Kanye West (together and separately), and my lovely boss.

Emma Curtis: I’m thankful for every opportunity and experience that this crazy life has offered me. I’m thankful for my parents who forever have my best interest in mind. I’m thankful for my siblings who remind me to be someone worth looking up to. I’m thankful for my friends who keep me on my toes and help me create stories worth telling. I’m thankful for everything that Penn State is and has provided me with. I’m thankful for the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful things that make this life so amazing. And I’m thankful I’m able to return to the happiest of valleys for another five semesters.

Ethan Kasales: I’m grateful for McAlister’s Deli and its unreal selection of sandwiches. In my opinion, McAlister’s dishes out the HUB’s finest cuisine, bar none. I’d like to acknowledge Jennifer for being an incredibly kind employee and taking the time to learn my name last semester. You’re the best. Finally, I’m thankful for my mom and Nana for always being there for me. Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you. Joining the Onward State staff this fall was truly an honor. Stay safe and enjoy the Puppy Bowl, Penn State.

Gabi Stevenson: I’m thankful for the opportunity to go to the greatest university in the world. Shout out to all of my crazy, weird, awesome colleagues at Onward State for always making me feel welcome and loved. I’m thankful to my parents and my sister for setting the best possible examples for me and helping me pursue my dreams. I’m thankful for all of my wonderful friends who have stood by me through the years, as well as the haterz who motivated me to do better. I’m thankful for my boyfriend who’s super cool and kind of likes me, and most importantly, buys me McDonald’s. I’m ALSO thankful for McDonald’s, for letting me ball on a budget. And I’m thankful for my cats, one of which is heavier than the turkey I’ll be eating today.

Jack Lukow: I’m thankful for the OS visual Groupme and all the gifs it has brought, and I’m thankful that Penn State was willing to gouge one more semester’s worth of tuition from me. I am glad I got to see the city of lights, especially at night, since it doesn’t sleep. And of course I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had this semester, covering football was amazing, I’m forever grateful to be a part of the OS fam, and I’m glad it’s how I spent my last semester. Now if you’ll excuse me, this is my last chance for a while to shirk responsibility for an entire week. #AdulthoodIsComing

Jacob Abrams: I’m thankful for being able to come to Penn State with my best friends — Pat, Henry, Mitchell, Davin, Dylan, Michaela, and Liz. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to be the next president of the best student radio station on campus, The LION 90.7 FM, the great experiences I’ve had in Happy Valley so far, and for the people who’ve supported me throughout my college career, including my family and my girlfriend, Rachel.

Katie Klodowski: Of course, I’m thankful for my parents who give me endless support and enthusiastically read all my posts; they make sure I have at least two page views every time. I’m thankful that I have a great relationship with my brother, who just got into medical school. I’m not even mad that his overachieving will certainly make me look bad at Thanksgiving dinner. I’m thankful for the people I’ve met here who will be in my life for a long time (they know who they are). I’m thankful that I go to a university where I can easily acquire Wings Over and Chipotle. I’m also thankful that I have 15 minutes to sprint from Thomas to Ford three days a week, because without it I certainly would have gained 10 pounds this semester. I’m thankful our editors imposed a word limit on this, because I have a lot to be grateful for and I would bore you all to tears if I were to list everything. Go Steelers.

Kaitlyn Dividock: I’m thankful for my parents, for setting the perfect example of how I should properly conduct myself in life, and for giving me every opportunity to grow beyond measure. I’m thankful for my eleventh grade English teacher, who proved to me that I’m a great writer, and gave me confidence to pursue it. I’m thankful for pretty music, strong coffee, and cheap alcohol for always being there for me in my weaker moments. I’m thankful for my roommates, who kept me sane and from transferring from the greatest university in the country freshman year. I’m thankful for THON and every inspirational person it introduced into my life. I’m thankful for Christina Enrico, because she’s my safety net and my human punching bag. I’m thankful for Penn State and every beautiful experience it has given me, both good and bad. But I’m also damning it, for ending just as quickly as it started.

Kevin Cacela: Typically there are three people in thankful for – that happens to be Fetty Wap, Jumpman, and Based God. Why? They bring the ratchetness and hype I need to get through my monotonous life at times. I also am very thankful for the comment section of Onward State, rustling my jimmies on a consistent basis. But more importantly, I’m thankful for the people who care about me and have brought me through some tough times in the last four years. It’s funny how a few people can make a huge impact in your life despite the short amount of time you’ve known them. You know who you are, PSFA, RAM Squad, and of course OS Visual Squad. Happy Thanksiving ya’ll. P.S. I’m very thankful for Lil Sebastian.

Kevin Horne: I’m thankful for Galen Hall. No, seriously, clearly we took that guy for granted. #FireDonovan

Lexi Shimkonis: I’m thankful for video chat which allows me to Skype my family every Sunday and Google Hangout with my friends whenever I need to talk to someone who doesn’t go to Penn State. I’m thankful for this website and the future roommates it’s allowed me to meet. I’m thankful for the switch that gave me my roommate and her daily dose of One Direction as well as friends from high school who will drive home with me at 12:30 a.m. I’m thankful for the 30 percent curve on the second physics exam even though I had to drop the class, so I should probably thank UPUA too. Most of all, I’m thankful that I chose to come to Penn State strictly for its engineering program, but fell in love with the best university in the world along the way.

Maggie Wrobel: I’m thankful for the fact that college is exponentially better than high school, and that Penn State ended up being 100 times better than I thought it would be. I’m thankful for all of the laughter and memes that come along with being on the Onward State staff, and I am also thankful for my “Oh Shit” Thespian family. And most importantly, I’m very thankful for the family (and bed) I get to go home to.

Matt Coleman: I am thankful for my incredible family, roommates, and friends I have made over the years. I will forever by grateful for the signed picture of Sam Ficken (someone sign him please) hanging in my living room and jet sweeps on third and long which helped him become great. The thing I’m most thankful for is coming to Penn State so that I could gladly throw my Pitt admission letter in the trash where it belongs.

Maureen Gallagher: I’m thankful for crazy family, friends who never say no to wine night, the upcoming Star Wars movie, State College bar bands, new experiences, and an extra year at the best school in the world. I’m also thankful my sister decided to go here and share her meal plan with me when she’s in a good mood.

Megan Fleming: I’m thankful for the things I’ve learned and the people I’ve met at Penn State. I’m thankful for my friends and family, and their constant love and support. I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead this site and to know and work with everyone on this staff, especially Doug Leeson. Lastly, I’m thankful that whenever someone is reading this Michigan still sucks. 

Nick Weiss: I’m thankful for annual obligations to pretend to be a better person than I am when all I really want is turkey and sleep. I just want taters. I guess I’m thankful for taters.

Patrick Koerbler: I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful that I attend the greatest university in the world. I’m thankful for the Phryst. I’m thankful for State College’s Dunkin Donuts — seriously, the workers very rarely make a bad cup of coffee. Last but not least, I’m thankful for future-Sixer Andrew Wiggins. Trust the process and go Sixers.

Sam Panko: Though it may sound pretentious, I am thankful that I attend the best school in the world. With that said, I am very thankful for my family and everyone who helped me get here and who continue to strongly support me day-in and day-out no matter what. I’m thankful for Dominos for being there to support me at 2 a.m. due to my odd sleep schedule and hunger patterns. Also, I’m pretty darn thankful that I’ve made it through my first semester of college and met lots great people.

Sara Civian: I’m mostly thankful for the seatbelt that saved my life last September and all the unlikely people who dropped everything to help me. As I walk down the Boston street that was named after him, I’m perpetually thankful for my grandfather (and my parents who remind me of his lessons when I lose sight). I’m thankful for Onward State helping me discover what I love and Pegula Ice Arena for letting me do it. I’m thankful for the Roar Zone and Daily Collegian hockey writers for keeping me on my toes in the press box. I’m thankful for Kanye West and Tom Brady, human reminders that perfection is attainable. I’m thankful for Jen Norton and Cate Hartman, who love me when I’m not so perfect. Above all, I’m indebted to this blog for giving me some of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, like David Abruzzese.

Sean Gregory: I’m thankful for it always being time to eat, the new seasons of Cops and Bar Rescue, Kevin Horne’s sense of humor, Mr. Skeltal, the ranch bucket at College Pizza, general spoopiness, alcohol in any form, our couch, the blog, the most recent Star Wars trailer, and the new downtown Sheetz. I’m also thankful for the irreplaceable group of friends I’ve made here over the past four years, my ridiculously supportive family that has yet to miss a single theatre performance of mine (including Penis Monologues), and the absolute gift it is to be able to wake up each day knowing I go to the greatest university on Earth.

Steffen Blanco: This year I’ll sum my thankfulness in the fact that I’m thankful for each and every opportunity that’s been presented to me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to spend another Thanksgiving with my family. Thankful for the opportunity to be friends with amazing groups of people in UPUA, APA Caucus, my PSFAmily, and of course the OS Family. Each and every one of you are amazing and have made such an impact in my life whether you know it or not. Finally, I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here at Penn State. So many people tend to forget that not everyone gets to be at such a great university, a place where opportunities are almost endless.

Tim Reams: My thanks first and foremost go out to my incredible family, friends, the Onward State staff, and of course I have to give a shout-out to my pets. I’m thankful for sandal-free showers, my own bed, and especially home cooked meals from my mom back home. East Halls has also made me thankful for some other things though, such as living in the heart of college football gamedays at one of the largest stadiums in the entire world. College has made me thankful for both what I left at home and what I gained coming to the best school in the world.

If you made it to the end of this post be sure to let us know what you’re thankful for in the comments!