TCT’s The Countless Thanks 2021: Addy Cousins

To my sister – for being the one person I know won’t leave me

At first, I wanted nothing more than to get my own room and get away from you, but now I relish the time I spend with you, the stories we used to tell. I still tuck you in every night, and it’s one of the best moments of my day. When I get to sit and talk with you, I enjoy rolling with laughter. I am bad at showing my appreciation for you, and I want you to know that I am thankful for our nightly talks. 

To my best friend, Hannah Levering – for understanding me

When I need to rant or just get something off my chest, you’re the first person I think of. I know I can count on you to listen and scream right along with me. I cherish every walk home where we yell down the path about everything that had happened that day. You know every little thing going on in my life. You’re the first person that comes to mind when I want to make plans; I love every moment we are together. You understand me, and it seems as though you’re the only one who truly knows who I am. I am so thankful that you get me and stay around. 

To Eva and Kiera – the Roll and Stop to my Drop

I didn’t tell you both that you two are the reason I continued writing for The Central Trend. Every time I think about quitting, I remember how proud you two are of me and how much I love spending class time with you. When I felt the pull of stress and thought it would be so much easier if I didn’t take this elective, I remembered you two make it such a fun class, and it reminds me that I can improve and grow. You push me to be my best, and I am thankful that I have you to remind me to keep going and that there are people who care. Eva helps me put everything in perspective, and I idolize her writing skills. I’m thankful for Kiera and her motivation and the depth of all her stories. I am thankful for both of you and the friendship we have grown through The Central Trend. 

To my chemistry buddies – for being open and welcoming

Thank you to the small group of girls in my chemistry class. Thank you for talking with me and making class bearable. I look forward to our daily talks over random things we did that weekend or the night before. Alysse, thank you for being my work partner who picks up the slack when I don’t understand. Lily, thank you for your fashion and your confidence. Abby, thank your for you compassion. I am thankful for the inclusion I found in you all. 

To my Basketball teammates – for the support and hype

Thank you for keeping my love of basketball alive. I found family in all of you, and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you to Gigi Sinicrope for your energy and honesty, Maggie Kelderman for your love and friendship on and off the court, Claire Marvin for always keeping it real and working hard, Zenash Cumings for always being nice and thoughtful, Inara Banks for your confidence and motivation, Lacey Smith for your energy and humor. Thank you for being my teammates. 

To Natalie Hedger – for being one of my closest friends

I still can’t believe I wasted two years of our time together wishing you away. I can’t imagine going one lunch period without you now. Ever since eighth grade basketball, you and I have been inseparable, and I don’t want that to ever change. We have been teammates and sisters for three years—a short time, but it feels as though I have known you all my life. We both have grown so much since the beginning of our friendship. We have grown together, and we continue to do so. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for sticking around. 

To Hailey Beels – a new friend I never want to lose

We haven’t known each other for long, but I am so thankful for meeting you. Our friendship started out a little strange, with the both of us obsessed. We started talking at that football game, and I knew you would be in my life at least for the rest of the semester. Now, I will cry on the last day of Social Psychology. I am so thankful for our random FaceTimes and our walks around the halls. You make me laugh and smile, even when I don’t want to. I will always cherish the time we have had together, and I hope we continue to talk past Christmas break. Thank you for being my smile.

To Madi Evans— for being my sarcastic other half

I am so thankful for you, and I love every moment I see you. We haven’t been close friends for long, but I am so glad we are now. You are one of the funniest people I have ever met, and I always find myself laughing when with you. From making TikToks in your basement to sitting in our little circle in sixth hour, I always have a good time, just because you are around. Thank you for the sarcastic comments and your loud personality. 

To Lotta Petersen – my German girlfriend 

I refuse to think of the fact that you won’t be here next year. I can’t express how much I am going to miss you; from your different pronunciation of words to your contagious smiles, I’m thankful for you. I will come and visit you in Germany; you can’t escape me that easily. Thank you for coming to America, for landing in Michigan of all places, and for being the most amazing person. I am so thankful for our short time together. I will always remember you. 

To Jia Niemeyer – for pushing me to do my best. 

We have known each other for a while now, but we didn’t talk much until this year, when we landed in the same APUSH class—a class we both cannot stand. I am so thankful for your compassion; you always find a way to show how much you care. I am also thankful that you help me want to do my best. You put so much effort into everything you do, and I look up to you for that. Thank you. 

 To Jenna Lowell, Sydney Kok, and Abrielle Hayes – for being the only reason I survive second hour

Thank you for your kindness. I look forward to talking to you all, and I would have been stuck if it weren’t for the three of you. Jenna, thank you for including me. Sydney, thank you for your humor. Abrielle, thank you for your sweet personality. You are three of the kindest girls I have ever met, and I am thankful for every second hour spent with you all. 

 To Amelia DiBenedetto – for the humor and the confidence 

I am so thankful you were put into this class, even if you claim to hate it. I am thankful for the chance to get to know you better and to enjoy your effortless humor. You know you’re funny and pretty, and you own it, with your outstanding outfits and confidence. Thank you for being you. 

To Masyn Cole – for being in the same boat

I am so thankful to have another year with you; I don’t know how I am going to handle school or life without you. Thank you for listening whenever I need to rant. Thank you for going to countless interviews with me. I am so thankful for your smile and laugh. I love hearing about your day, and I love getting the chance to tell you about mine. Thank you for being a shoulder to lean on and being someone to laugh with. 

To Liza McCarthy – for being an older sister figure

I won’t be able to hold back the flood gates when you graduate. I see you as a role model; you are kind, compassionate, strong, beautiful, and I aspire to write as well as you do. You are such a strong person, and I am thankful to witness your strength. Thank you for editing my stories late at night, and thank you for listening to me ramble about random nonsense. I wish I had more time with you, but I am thankful for the time we have now. 

To Mahta Poostizadeh – for never fully leaving

Let’s be honest, our friendship is a little weird. After our weird encounter in fourth grade, I have loved you as though you were family. We can go months without talking—or talking about Miraculous only—and still pick up right where we left off. I have so many fond memories of the two of us, the power duo of the sixth grade. Everyone else in our class thought we had no other friends; we were so attached at the hip. Though our friendship has changed over the years, I am thankful to have you in my life at all. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be who I am today, and I am so thankful for the ways you have changed me.