By Ava Smart, Class of 2026
This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.
One of my most special and joyful weeks for me at One Stone is Gratitude Week. Gratitude Week is a time when we pause to celebrate connection and reflect on the big and small things that bring meaning to our lives. Through expressions of love, care, and service, we practice gratitude as a community—whether it’s by sharing our stories, volunteering, or simply appreciating one another.
It might seem almost surprising to you all when I tell you that we have a full week dedicated to gratitude. Why is it important to have gratitude? This question is one I have thought about a lot myself and I have formed an understanding that gratitude is so much more than simple. While in the sense that it can be easy to perform a gesture, gratitude feels so much more complex. It impacts your wellbeing, education and relationships. Gratitude can change a life, and it has changed mine.
My parents got divorced when I was 9 years old, so my family looks pretty different from what is traditionally advertised. I was taught that I would grow up, get married, and have kids—that this was the path to happiness and what a family was supposed to look like. I was never taught that around 40 to 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce, or that it’s very common for parents to no longer love each other in the same way they once did. Over the years, I’ve met many new people who are now part of my growing family. Kimo is my mom’s partner and it feels weird to say out loud but he's actually also one of my best friends. He makes me proud to be who I am. He has been in my life for 6 years now and he has two daughters who are like siblings to me. Although it is often still tough, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am extremely grateful for how my family exists in the world, and that perspective has truly changed my life for the better.
I’ve learned so much from Gratitude Week. It’s not only helped me practice gratitude in my own life and with my relationships, but it has also impacted my education. I have become a better learner and a better teammate. I have not always been in the best mindset about my education and going to school everyday. I still struggle with waking up early to get ready for school but gratitude is one of the many reasons I feel empowered to move forward with my day.
So when we have those little moments, when we share our stories and express what we’re grateful for, this makes One Stone feel like a true community. One Stone has helped me practice gratitude. Being able to open up to each other and hear about what brought everyone here creates a connection that’s hard to find in most educational spaces. It’s different from any experience I've had in a traditional school setting because it’s not just about academics or projects; it’s about genuinely supporting and valuing each other as individuals. These moments of gratitude give me a sense of belonging. They help me to grow by reminding me of the impact kindness and connection can have, both on myself and others.
