TCT’s The Countless Thanks 2020
Zackary Race – for simply being Zack
The past fourteen years have been wild solely because of you. And for that, I’m eternally grateful. Even though I’ll be forever bitter about you killing my Minecraft dog seven years ago, at the end of the day, you’re still my twin—at the end of the day, that madness that lives inside you is going to keep me sane. We’ve done practically everything together. We have grown up together, traveled together, been in the same class together far too many times, and reached important milestones together. Despite the one-minute age difference (that I will rub in until the day I die), you have always been there for me, literally. A special thanks to the yelling that comes from your room when you play video games, but most importantly, thank you for being my annoying (little) brother my whole life.
Coach Emma and Coach Hannah (and the rest of the FHC Cheer team) – for being incredibly supportive this year
I was apprehensive about joining the cheer team this year. I thought I was going to be a liability rather than a teammate and that my athletic abilities wouldn’t please the bare minimum. My negative mindset changed very quickly thanks to the people I surrounded myself with: my coaches and teammates.
Coach Emma and Coach Hannah, thank you for bringing a positive attitude to cheer practices and football games. The way you put a smile on all of our faces, even when we felt hopeless, was like magic. After a rough season like this one, your support and encouragement is something we—the cheerleaders—envied. Without your determination, this season would have probably been my last, and for that, I’m incredibly thankful for you, Coach Emma and Coach Hannah.
Where do I even start with this team? Everything about it is perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being the nicest, most pure group of human beings I know. Every time I open the group chat, I feel happy, loved, and validated. No matter our differences, you ladies fill the chat with the sweetest messages. Although this year’s sideline season was unlike any other, thank you for being like a second family to me, but, most importantly, I love all you ladies so much and cannot wait to get back on the mat.
Hannah Levering – for putting up with me
Ever since the 2018-2019 competition season, our bond has remained strong. Spending hours a week at a school we didn’t attend together with the rest of our middle school competition teams was too much fun; it was full of running laps around Eastern, rolling out mats, or peeking our heads into the gym to see who was playing. There isn’t anybody else I would want to spend my time with early at a competition as we get lost or run late. Also, thank you for letting me post ridiculous pictures of you on my story for your birthday.
Sofia Hargis-Acevedo – for being a stunning person
Our friendship rekindled last year, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. Thank you for the Facetime calls after fifth and sixth hour every day. We usually talk about math homework or your obsession with Harry Styles, but either way, they make me super happy. Also, thank you for being a bright and bubbly person in general. People can be negative, and I can not remember a time, Sofia, that you were a burden to be around. In-school learning with both groups A and B was short-lived, but I looked forward to sixth hour with you and, of course, the endless laps around the school. Thank you so much for all the good memories and the pictures on my camera roll from the times you took my phone to post on your birthday.
Grandma Cher – for being loving even though we are four hours apart
It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever. Since traveling right now is strongly discouraged, I don’t know the next time I will see you, but I hope it’s soon. I won’t ever forget the garden you and Papi had at the old house; it was the most magical place five-year-old Sydney could ever imagine! I remember your hugs, and I miss them. With how long we haven’t been together, I don’t want you to forget how much I love and miss you, Grandma.