Here are all the things we're thankful for, Vol. 2

This past year has brought significant turmoil to communities across the nation, from rural families to Washington cohorts. In times of division, uncertainty and political chaos, I am thankful for the local news stations across the country that have faithfully reported on the individual lives and stories of Americans that would have otherwise gone overlooked. 

While Washington upheaval rightfully takes the national headlines, local stations like Colorado Public Radio, The Coloradoan and The Colorado Sun have continuously given voice to the voiceless by spotlighting the real-world impact of politics on everyday Americans. Local journalism is, in my view, at the heart of this nation’s democracy. 

Our society is shaped by the stories of the everyday person; stories told by the farmer, the single mother, the businessperson, the teacher, the worker, etc. A truly free press acts as a great equalizer, handing a microphone to communities across the country to empower change, representation and equity. Without local reporting, there is no free press. Without free press, there is no democracy. 

Numerous actions taken against the free press by the federal government have undoubtedly called our democracy into question. President Donald Trump cancelled $1.1 billion in funding to public media, a move that almost exclusively impacted local media outlets.Vulnerable communities, namely those in rural towns, have lost their right to information. This is devastating, not just for localities, but for the nation. As the federal government continuously declines to uphold its democratic duties, I am especially thankful for the strength and tenacity of the local reporters who have shown unwavering dedication to their community, even in times of widespread scrutiny and ambivalence. 

— Chloe Waskey

Thank you for your continuing support of the Ramspondents.

I promised my own list of what I’m thankful for this morning, so here goes, in no particular order …

Creating and watching the Ramspondents grow has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever worked on. This group has worked hard to keep you informed, and I’m immensely proud of their work. I hope you are too.

— Jake Sherlock, editor and instructor

Under the thunderous roar of organ pipes exhaling the noises of Maurice Duruflé’s requiem at a local methodist church, time stood still. Every moment we are constantly borne into chaos as world events are brought to our eyes and ears and our consciousness is left to bear a sense of collective strife and disharmony. What is able to soothe the mind beyond the temporary distraction of a cacophony of short-form content or reality TV shows is the creative practice. The ability to invest myself in creative pursuits and witness the creativity of others is what I am thankful for. Our passion is our medicine. So, as I watch the black-coated, gray haired man stoke the keys of a godly instrument, my eyes temporarily become his, his mind and mine are one.

Creativity also expends beyond conceptions of whimsical occupations and infects even the pragmatics of our lives. AI complicates our own relationship with intellectual production, creativity remains something that is bound to life, something that can be perceived and produced only between humans. Creative pursuits have also been some of the most powerful agents in defense against facism, from dystopic novels that warn against totalitarianism to the embrace of abstract expressionism that champion liberty. Creativity can allow us to be critical, in itself is a freedom that cannot be taken for granted. 

During this time in November chaos persists. At once there is an embrace of family and loved-ones while some may be confronted with difficult or strained relationships. We are also made aware of a particular piece of American history, a time that speaks of colonization and trauma. Further, as holiday expectations are set in motion, some foresee the challenges in the expectation of preparing a feast and the anxiety of gift giving. For me, creativity allows for a temporary escape, something to fall back onto when it all becomes overpowering noise. If you are lucky enough to have leisure time or be with loved ones, relish in your own creativity or that of others. See a movie, go to a museum, write a poem – allow expression to bring tranquility. 

— Maximus Vogt

This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. One of the biggest things that I am thankful for everyday is the people I get the joy of surrounding myself with at college. 

My best friend, Makenna Schweigert, pushes me to be a better writer, photographer and journalist, while also making sure I am always smiling and laughing. We love to try new foods, watch hockey, go to the movie theater, drive around and scream music at the top of our lungs, and constantly laugh about everything. 

My other best friend, Keiran Wisell, pushes me to become the best music industry professional I can within the Fort Collins music scene. He also challenges me to experience new things, and we recently booked a two-week European exploration over the summer, where we will visit Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and England. 

I am also thankful for my boyfriend, Sam Gladden, for always supporting me in my several endeavors and always encouraging me to explore new opportunities. He is always by my side whenever I need and is always so open to trying new things. This winter I will be teaching him how to ice skate and snowboard. I grew up in winter sports, and he is from California and has never tried any winter sport. I am very grateful that we are able to try new things together. 

Finally another group of people I am grateful for is my amazing roommates, Alisiya Martinez, Elena Hristoff and Jenna Storrs. Living with some of my best friends has been an unforgettable experience, and they bring so much joy to my living space. 

With a thousand more things to be thankful for, I can say with confidence that these six people have shaped me more as a person than I could have ever imagined, and I am so thankful for them this holiday season. 

— Kaileen Gruber

Thanksgiving, a holiday where you are able to take the time to look back on your life and be thankful for the good, bad, big or small moments within the past year to bring you to where you are today. This past year has been difficult, but because of those moments I have learned lessons of hardship and perseverance and thankful to be built by those moments. 

The first thing I am thankful for is my family: my parents, sisters, and grandparents specifically. My parents have always been my lighthouse, the people I can count on to navigate me when life gets rocky. I am thankful that through their guidance they have led me to be confident whenever I am leading my staff at CTV, making tough decisions, or working to better myself. They have always been there, giving support and cheering me on. I am also thankful that I’ve been able to watch them grow. My dad started a brand new job this year and has been killing it. At 62, my dad has been able to completely rewrite how to teach high schoolers and prove that when you are dedicated and driven it doesn’t matter when you started. I am so thankful to have people in my life such as my parents to look up to. I am also thankful for my sisters Ryan and Taylor. My sisters are my rock, the people who I get to lean on when things get rough, who I can count on to give me a hard time (whether it is deserved or not), and the people I know will back me up whenever I need it. I am so thankful that I get to navigate this life with them by my side. Lastly, I am thankful for my grandparents. Every year it gets more and more difficult to watch them grow old, the small aches and pains no longer small. My grandparents are some of the kindest and most giving people you’ve met and I am so thankful that I have gotten to know them for as long as I have.

I am also thankful for the thing that taught me how to mourn, the death of my dog Wrigley. Wrigley’s death was the first major death I have had to experience. Wrigley taught me what it is like to lose a family member and somebody that I was able to grow up with. Looking back I am so thankful for the incredible years that he gave myself and my family, and although the time with him was short I am thankful we got any time at all.

Lastly, I am thankful for my friends. Laughter, anger, tears, and more, my friends have gone through so much together. Without them I don’t know who I would be able to rant to, laugh with, or cry with. I am thankful that my friends allow me to be myself and that they help build me back up when I fall.

It is time to be thankful, so look around at your life, the hardships and the good times, and reflect on what you are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving

— Bailey Borkowski

This Thanksgiving season, I am incredibly grateful for my family, for my friends, and for the many amazing adventures I’ve had this year. I don’t believe that I would be the person I am today or be where I am today without the love and support from the people in my life.

My mom and my dad have always been my biggest inspirations. Their support and love push me to be the best version of myself I can possibly be, whether that be in school or in life. This year, my sister moved to Fort Collins for her freshman year at Fort Collins, and to remain that close is incredibly cool and an opportunity not a lot of siblings get. She is my best friend, and I’m very grateful I’ll be able to spend my remaining semesters at Colorado State knowing she’s just a walk away. 

My life would be so boring without my friends, so I am very grateful to them for always bringing that spark into my world. Whether it be friends across oceans at university, friends back home in Denver, or friends I can see in a 2-minute walk, I’ve had so many fun experiences with my friends over this past year. 

From a four-day road trip to the Grand Canyon, to cliff jumping in Horsetooth Reservoir, to haunted corn mazes and multiple trips to the mountains, this year has been nothing short of a fun adventure. Looking back at it all makes me feel very grateful for everything I have experienced, and excited for what is to come in the next year.

— Calvin Masten 

As I approach my graduation from Colorado State University in December, I have been reminiscing about the experiences I’ve had as a student and a citizen of Fort Collins. I’m eternally grateful for the community this town holds and the amazing people within it I’ve gotten a chance to meet. Moving here for school, I found myself the first few weeks alone and anxious to get out there, but I learned that being a part of the local community here isn’t a chore nor is it something to be afraid of. 

Last week, I got back to the home I share with three others after being out of town for the weekend. I was surprised by my roommates holding a “Friendsgiving” potluck, in which all of their friends came over with food to offer and we all had a great dinner together. Given that I was out of town, I only had the opportunity to invite one of my friends for the get-together, but I learned I didn’t need to. Even these people that before our dinner were complete strangers to me lived with such open minds and hearts and created a friendly and loving environment I was glad to say was within my own home.

The dinner gave me a real perspective of how lucky I am to have ended up here in Fort Collins and at CSU – going to college is always full of uncertainty, and I am so glad I decided to face that head on to find such a gem of a town and such jewels of people within it.

— Scott Reif