1 Thanksgiving Speech 11/26/02 Good afternoon. As I stand here and look out at all of you, children K4 through grade 12, teachers, parents, friends, it takes my breath away. It is the first time this year all of us have been together. We in this room are so wealthy. We are all very rich. It doesn’t matter whether we are millionaires or whether we don’t have two nickels to rub together. We are rich because we live in America. We are rich because we have wonderful families and friends who care about us. We all have a treasure chest of possibility in our lives. Our pantries are full of the most delectable offerings. And being part of Staten Island Academy, which we all know is a beacon of excellence, is like winning the lottery. We are wealthy indeed. Because of our wealth, I believe that we have the responsibility to share with others, and I believe that sharing is the heart of Thanksgiving. I am proud that I see evidence of sharing every day on our campus. In our program today, for example, there is much evidence of sharing. Our older students help our younger students. Teachers share their knowledge and love with children. Students share their voices and their talents. And, students, faculty, and parents share their resources by raising money for worthy causes. Our community shares its wealth in many ways. Since I started to think about what I would say to you this afternoon, I have been thinking about the first Thanksgiving that was held in 1621. As you know, the Pilgrims and the Native American Indians had a feast to celebrate the wealth of their harvest. The pilgrims and the Native Americans shared much that first Thanksgiving Day, including food, laughter, friendship, and pride. I think that it is very interesting to note that only 40 years after the first Thanksgiving in Plimouth, Massachusetts, the first permanent settlement of Europeans on Staten Island began. The year was 1661, and I think these settlers probably celebrated a Thanksgiving, too. There certainly were Native Americans on Staten Island at that time – historians think that there were about 100 of them from the tribes of the Tappans, the Hackensacks, and the Raritans. The settlers 2 and the Native Americans shared in the wealth of Staten Island, which in 1661 included deer, elk, wildcats, beavers, and rich oyster beds. We do not know the names of the Native Americans on Staten Island, but we do know the name of the Native American who helped the Pilgrims. His name was Squanto. It was Squanto who shared with the Pilgrims his wealth of knowledge about how to survive in their new home. He taught the Pilgrims how to fish, grow corn, and live off of the land. Squanto was not rich in terms of money. In fact, he probably didn’t have any. He was, however, rich in knowledge, rich in wisdom, and rich in compassion for his fellow human beings. And he chose to share. By sharing what he knew, the Pilgrims survived. The gift of Squanto’s sharing in 1621 multiplied millions of times over many years, like compound interest. Squanto’s sharing not only allowed the pilgrims then to survive, I am sure that many of us Americans who will celebrate Thanksgiving in the year 2002 would probably not even be alive if it weren’t for Squanto. Our ancestors would not have lived. As you enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday, I would ask you to think about sharing, too. Squanto can be a role model for us. Who knows what or whom we will influence by sharing, just like he did? I suggest that this Thanksgiving you share your wealth – Share your rich smiles. Share the gold ingots of your love. Share the jewels that are your compassion for other people. Share your time with a younger child. Share your heart. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, one that is full of thanks, giving, and sharing. Teachers’ Day Messages • • • • • • • • • • • • • • You are the best Teacher in this world. Wherever I may go in my life, I will always remember that I had an excellent guide in the form of a teacher, you. I found guidance, friendship, discipline and love, everything, in one person. And that person is you (name of your teacher) Without you, we would have been lost. Thank you teacher for guiding us, inspiring us and making us what we are today. We will always be thankful to you for all the hard work and efforts you have put in, for educating us. You are not only our teacher. Rather, you are friend, philosopher and guide, all molded into one person. We will always be grateful to you for your support. I may not say it always. But, I mean it whenever I say it. Thank You Teacher for all the things you have done for us. You have been the mentor of life. Though I did not realize it earlier. Now it feels great to have someone who guided me to the right track in life. Happy Teacher’s Day! Thanks for being my teacher and guiding me towards the right path of life. I am grateful to you teacher! With a great teacher like you, I was sure that life would be a successful journey but I never knew you will also make the journey to success such a cakewalk. I can’t express my gratitude Sir! You have been more than a teacher- a mentor, guide, and philosopher! Thanks for blessings me. Success is your blessing, teacher. I would always be thankful to you. Best of me, reminds me of you. Happy Teachers’ Day! Life is a journey and your words have been a guiding light throughout. Happy Teachers’ Day! Teacher you have always shown us the right way. Whatever little we have achieved in your life is because of you only. Thanks for being our guide and mentor. Happy Teachers’ Day!