Here at Whittier Tech, we have so much to be thankful for this Holiday season. As you continue to enjoy your Holiday traditions, try having a fun game night with your family and see how they would answer the question: What are you thankful for?
Let’s take a look at what some current Wildcats had to say when they were asked.
Students
Achraf A., Grade 10 - Advanced Manufacturing
“I’m thankful for going against Bobbles in musical chairs during the prep rally.”
Robert A., Grade 10 - Advanced Manufacturing
“my family, my friends, my dog Oreo, and all the pathways in my brain that got me where I am today”
Harrison A., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“God, My family, basketball, my girlfriend, food, and everything else that I take for granted.”
Angel B., Grade 11 - Medical Assisting
“I am thankful for the people who believed in me”
McKenna B., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“My bed and my boyfriend and my best friends”
Lily B., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“my opportunities I have now that I am attending Whittier Tech. I am also thankful for my family and I’m thankful for all my teachers who always believe in me and see my potential.”
Kyle B., Grade 11 - Plumbing
“Family and friends”
Lilly B., Grade 11 - Advanced Manufacturing
“the friendships made from shop”
Lys C., Grade 12 - Early Education and Care
“I am thankful for my family & friends. I do not know how I would do things without them. I am also thankful for the Whittier Tech teachers I have had so far throughout my four years of being here.”
Ashlee C., Grade 12 - Advanced Manufacturing
“I am thankful for my family always being with me through everything along with the friends I’ve made in my four years of being at Whittier. I am thankful to be a wildcat.”
Emily C., Grade 12 - Marketing Education
“My little sister”
Hailey C., Grade 9 - Grade 9 Exploratory
“I am thankful for freedom, good health, pets, water, education, family, laughter, parents, food, freedom of religion, health, home, money, a bed to sleep in, being able to breathe, clothing, fresh air, holidays, kindness of strangers, learning from mistakes”
Jalen C., Grade 9 - HVAC-R
“The blessing of waking up every day and seeing my family.”
Nicole D., Grade 10 - CAD/Drafting
“I’m incredibly thankful for the many things in my life. I'm doing well in my shop, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, as well as the hard work I’ve put into my grades. I’m also grateful for the support and love from my friends and family, who inspire me to keep pushing forward. They mean the world to me, and I’m truly lucky to have them by my side.”
Joshua D., Grade 10 - Plumbing
“The opportunity to come to Whittier and start my career early, as well as all of my belongings because I understand I am extremely lucky to have been born in the right place at the right time.”
Noah D., Grade 10 - Plumbing
“My favorite rapper OT7 Quanny”
Angelis D., Grade 12 - Carpentry
“I am thankful for my shopmates and the experience we gain from one another.”
Abigail D., Grade 10 - Metal Fabrication/Welding
“My mom and dad and I’m thankful for Mr. Gerber and Mr. Palmer for all that they have done”
Alejandro D., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“Family and friends”
Ava D., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“Jalen Cuello”
Autumn F., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“my family, friends, and shop education!”
Jayden F., Grade 11 - Masonry
“I am thankful for Playboi carti dropping music this Friday”
Carolyn F., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“My wonderful friends”
Theresa G., Grade 12 - Health Assisting
“My family and friends, for all their support”
Richard G., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“Just being in this school. This school makes me happy every single day. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL”
Yandriel G., Grade 10 - Health Assisting
“All the food I eat at the china buffet, the grandmother McFlurry that was a limited-time item at McDonald’s, being able to zone out, and finally, I am thankful for my pets.”
Katreina G., Grade 11 - Metal Fabrication/Welding
“My family that supports me in everything”
Sanaa G., Grade 11 - Cosmetology
“For God making me live another day and for my family and friends”
Jade H., Grade 12 - Medical Assisting
“I am thankful for Mr. Haye's determination to fulfill the water bubbler goal, with his pickle jar.”
Jeovanni H., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“Great teachers that always encourage me to do better”
Caydinn J., Grade 10 - HVAC-R
“Family”
Joseph K., Grade 11 - Auto Tech
“Where I am in life. The fact that I have food and shelter is already enough, but the fact that I have loving parents, loyal friends, and a good school where I can start an amazing career is all more than I can ask for.”
Morgan K., Grade 11 - Early Education and Care
“My parents and everything they’ve done and sacrificed for me”
Yaliyah L., Grade 11 - Business Tech
“My family, and my friends. They show me that I am not alone even when it feels like I am. They always there to uplift me and give me a hand when needed. I am also thankful for my teachers this year because they push me to do the best I can and be my best self. Having such amazing people around me makes me want to be the best version of myself that I can be.”
Aspen L., Grade 11 - Hospitality Management
“My family, friends, and pets. 🥰”
Ariana M., Grade 10 - Cosmetology
“The opportunities at this school to learn, grow in many different aspects, and meet new people from different communities!”
Molly M., Grade 12 - CAD/Drafting
“My family and friends”
AnnaMae M., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“I am thankful for all of my friends and family that have helped me get where I am today and I’m so thankful I got into Whittier Tech because I have learned so much already and I wouldn’t want to be at any other school than Whittier.”
David M., Grade 11 - Carpentry
“I am thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my family, and my friends.”
Vienna M., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“I am thankful for my friends, my family, and my dance family.”
Keegan M., Grade 10 - HVAC-R
“music”
Charlie N., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“My friends and my family”
Liam O., Grade 10 - Plumbing
“Family”
Andrea O., Grade 10 - Design and Visual Communication
“The friends and teachers I became close with”
Andrew P., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“Friends and family”
Jazlynn R., Grade 10 - Cosmetology
“I am thankful for my grandma because she will do whatever she can to prioritize my happiness and needs.”
Alexis R., Grade 11 - Health Assisting
“All the opportunities Whittier has given me!”
Remy R., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“My football teammates”
Keelin R., Grade 12 - Design and Visual Communication
“My mom. She has always been there for me and has helped me deal with any issues I may be having in school or outside.”
Josh R., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“My family and my loved ones”
Evan S., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“I am thankful for my dogs and family”
Gracelin S., Grade 9 - Exploratory
“My friend Anna”
Adrian T., Grade 10 - Metal Fabrication/Welding
“My family, my friends, my girlfriend, and basketball. I'm also thankful for the food on my table and the roof over my head.”
Staff
Aiden Wood, English
“The students and staff of Whittier. It truly feels like a community moving toward a common goal of the students' success!”
Chris Laganas, Principal/Assistant Superintendent
“I’m thankful for the supportive work environment and the incredible staff and students!”
Cynthia Yetman, Substitute Teacher
“The respect and kindness always extended to me by the students at Whittier Tech when I temporarily replaced their teacher. I’m grateful for the professionalism demonstrated to me by the teachers who take a day to take care of their own health or that of their family who leave me plans I can execute with ease. I will always champion Whittier Tech and its services to our communities' children!”
Deb Santos, English
“I am thankful for all of my students, past and present, for making me a better teacher every day.”
Elaine Bucher, English
“I am thankful for so much! My children and new granddaughter (Cece), specifically. I have a second granddaughter due in late December! In addition, my youngest daughter is currently in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, and I'm so proud of her!”
Erin Dolan, Special Education
“How supportive teachers are of each other. There is always someone to turn to for questions, clarification, or just a good laugh.”
Fatima Picanso, Cosmetology
“Family, friends, and a great work environment ”
Jenny Greene, Transportation
“My support system and my community.”
Jill Karatkewicz, Guidance
“My guidance department colleagues for always having a sense of humor and knowing how vital Andy B's lunches are! Thanks for being a great group!”
Julie Budd, Special Education
“The privilege of being part of my students' journeys. Each day, they teach me the power of resilience, creativity, and kindness. I’m grateful for the little moments—when a concept finally clicks, when laughter fills the room, or when we celebrate even the smallest victories together. These moments remind me why I do what I do. I’m also thankful for the incredible support of families, colleagues, and the community, who work alongside me to help our students thrive.”
Kathy Kastrinelis, Math
“Having people both at school and at home who truly care about me.”
Katie Nichols, Technology
“All of the people that read Tech Tip Tuesday and for the people who have asked questions.”
Kayla Yameen, Allied Health - Medical Assisting
“I am thankful for my students, they show up every day with enthusiasm and willingness to learn. I am also thankful for my coworkers who are always there to answer a question or help each other out.”
Kristin Bucco, Special Education
“My family becoming 5 again for the holidays.”
Kristine Morrison, Student Services
“My beautiful family, loving friends, and wonderful people to work with at Whittier Tech.”
Lisa Desberg, English
“Laughing in the hallway between periods with Mr. Ouellette, senior lesson planning with Ms. Devenney & Mr. Cunningham, being greeted with a morning hello from Dr. Fay, chatting with Mrs. Bucco & Mr. Valhouli in homeroom, celebrating people in our department with Sunshine Queen Bragg at the helm, and for all the other positive, productive, professional people here at Whittier. I love teaching and learning here; it's a wonderful place to be.”
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
“I am thankful for my family, my Whittier Tech family, and the students who make Whittier Tech amazing!!”
Monica Marino, English
“I'm so thankful for great book recommendations from my colleagues and friends!”
Rachael Rossi, Guidance
“All the supportive gestures, kind words, healing wishes, and consideration my friends at Whittier have shared with me recently. I am so grateful for ALL of your support. Thank you!”
Sarah Anderson, Special Education
“Amazing coworkers. I have been blessed to find my best friends, and I have Whittier Tech to thank for bringing us together. #wreastrong”
Stacey Horvitz, Student Services
“The enthusiastic, motivated students and the dedicated, hard-working staff and administration at Whittier RVTHS. I'm thankful I can come to work every day at the BEST vocational school in the state!”
Tia Gerber, Community Partnerships
“Our Evening Education Team! The learning that takes place in the evening is amazing and it would not be possible without everyone on our team: including cafe staff, security, instructors, facilities, Amanda, Dave, Amy, and most importantly -- our evening adult students!”
Ty Hobbs, Robotics
“The realization that every setback in my life has led to even better things than before the setback.”
On behalf of everyone here at Whittier Tech, Happy Holidays!