By Isabel Balla '16

With Thanksgiving Break here, I would say now is a good time to express what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for friends and family, people who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others, health, and a great education, but most importantly, and probably most significantly, I am thankful to be a part of a program that gives me more than I could ever have dreamt for just being myself.

It is not about where you come from (I am from the middle of the United States after all), or what you want to do with your life (because aren’t we all still deciding), it is about what your passions are and that little bit of hope we all have to make a difference.

The day I stepped on to Ithaca College’s campus was the day I realized there is more to the program than what meets the eye. Every current Scholar was unique and peculiar in her or his very own way. And that is true for my class of Scholars. We are a peculiar bunch, with hoards of random knowledge, so when we come together we create an entity that is much bigger than ourselves. And that is what I am thankful for.

I am thankful that this campus offers, and my fellow Scholars participate in, everything from Zombie wars to petting puppies, television to radio, groups supporting Veterans to groups fighting child hunger, and Harry Potter to fashion clubs.

I am thankful that I can pursue my passions, whatever they may be, and have fun while doing it.

I am thankful that I can be a unique individual and walk to the beat of my own drummer.

I am thankful for the opportunities the school and program offers. Who else gets to Skype with the current chairman and CEO of Disney (also an Ithaca alum), Bob Iger?

I am thankful that this program allows us to leave the world a little better than it was when we came in. It is these wondrous aspects of the program that I am thankful for.

In a place where the people are as dynamic as the weather, there is something for everyone, and it makes being far away from home a lot easier. I am thankful I can call this place, this unique place, my home. With its charm and characteristics, this college and community are unlike any other and I am ever so thankful to be an active part of it. I have been able to step out of my comfort zone and find a few new passions along the way.