Last week, like many other college students, I came home for Thanksgiving break. There's an overwhelming feeling of warmth when you come back to a place after you've been away from it for a while, and even more so when it's during the Thanksgiving holiday. You're greeted by the smiling faces of your family that you've missed and surrounded by the sights, sounds, and even scents that have become an actual part of the person that you are. Upon your return, you are instantly reminded of why you will always be proud to call that place "home."

That warm, delightful feeling of coming home was the same feeling I had when I went back to visit my elementary school, Wheeling Country Day School, during their Thanksgiving Feast that the Parent & Faculty Association hosted for students, faculty, and alumni.

Within minutes of driving onto campus, a million and one childhood memories came to life right before my eyes. I drove along the paved road that encircles the playground, passed the pine trees that I was frequently scolded for climbing in during recess, and parked on the field that was the setting of many annual Field Days and endless hours after-school play.

WCDS gave me more than I had realized I was being given at the time. It's the place that gave me teachers like Ms. Linda, Mrs. Brubaker, Mrs. Musser, Mrs. McFadden, Mrs. Edwards, and others that loved their profession, me, my fellow classmates, and the place at which they taught.

It's the place that I made lifelong friends that are still a huge part of my life today. (And if anyone was wondering, yes, Adam Toriseva and I still keep in touch almost every day, even though I will never forgive him for accidentally dumping salsa all over my blue sweater in the third grade during lunch.)

It's the place where I acquired my first broken bone, the place that kept me safe during the 2004 flooding, and also the place where I dressed up as President Ulysses S. Grant for my wax museum project, became an expert on the finback whale during my marine mammal project, learned to write in cursive and where I ate the greatest broccoli with cheese that you will ever find, which was made by none other than our wonderful cook during my time there, Mrs. Parkinson.

I have tried my best to come up with a better word when thinking of Wheeling Country Day School, but the only word suitable for such a place is: special. Even though it was my first official visit after eight or so years, I felt right at home and more welcome that I could have ever imagined. That's what a special place like WCDS can do: it can make a freshman in college feel right at home, as if no time has passed, simply by coming back to campus for a visit.

I just want to extend a huge thank you to Mrs. Hofreuter-Landini, everyone on the faculty and staff, and students past and present for making WCDS the place that it is and for welcoming me back as if I had never left. Without you, I truly believe WCDS wouldn't be what it is today. And to any of the current students that may be reading this: you are in a wonderful and immensely special place that will be with you for years to come.

It's the school that I'm proud to call home and a community of people that I will always call family.

Once a Cougar, always a Cougar.