In the spirit of giving thanks, I am writing a thank you letter to all of my informal and formal teachers.

To my teachers from Elementary, Middle, and High School, thank you for dedicating your life to my education. You have helped me understand the foundations of math, reading and writing, history and science. You strived to prepare me for the college workload, as well as, the truth of the real world. Above all else, you have instilled in me a passion for learning. I can never thank you enough for encouraging me to be curious, to ask questions, to take risks and to discover our world. Each of you has contributed to creating who I am today. So, thank you for inspiring me, and thank you for providing me with the skills to succeed in all of my academic endeavors.

To my family, thank you for teaching me to be kind and caring, to be receptive of the power of my words, to reach out to others and to always try my hardest. You have been and continue to be my greatest supporters since day one. You stood beside me for every aced math quiz, mediocre physics test, phenomenal essay, awards night and basketball game. You remind me of my strengths that I overlook. You acknowledge my flaws and work to improve upon them. You remind me to smile because it makes me look and feel better. Your guidance and teaching inspire me to do good in the world. Thank you for every piece of guidance you have given me. Thank you for everything you will give me tomorrow. You make me better.

More specifically, thank you to my siblings. Nicole, Bobby and Gabby - I cannot imagine life without you. Not only do you each individually bring so much joy and life into the world, you continue to change my world. You not only are the foundation in an everlasting support system, you each have a significant impact on my life. Little did I know my fights with my younger sister would teach me patience, tolerance and the art of letting things go or that I could easily live with strangers in college because I had always shared a room with two girls. Living with you guys has helped develop my interactions and friendships. You help me be more understanding and open, less judgmental and more trusting. Thank you for the endless laughs, inside jokes and fights about whose clothes belong to who.

To the Dominican Friars, thank you for thinking of and establishing the institution that is Providence College. Thank you for dedicating your lives to service, to education and to the Lord’s work. I may have only had the privilege of meeting some of you, but this thank you is for each Dominican that I have, will and will not meet. Through your work at PC, I have begun to find my faith. Thank you for your openness and honesty in answering my questions. Thank you for your love of learning and your desire to share your knowledge with others.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of the people who have yet to come into my life. Thank you for teaching me, for encouraging me and for loving me.

I cannot thank you enough.

Sincerely,

The girl who’s always learning.