SOUTH COUNTY — Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on everything we are thankful for, such as family and friends. In the spirit of the holiday, South County Newspapers asked local students from King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales what they are thankful for this year. Here are their responses.

King City

Gizelle Huerta, 10, Santa Lucia Elementary School — “This year I am thankful for my family helping me out during the year; my wonderful teacher, Mr. Burns, he’s helped me with a lot of stuff; and I am grateful for my cousin who has passed away.”

Melissa Ingles, 9, Santa Lucia Elementary School — “I am thankful for my grandma who passed last year.”

Paulette Guidici, 13, Chalone Peaks Middle School — “I’m thankful for my family for always pushing me forward to do well in school and motivating me to follow my dreams.”

Max Morales, 13, Chalone Peaks Middle School — “I am thankful for my family who is very supportive. Every time I join a sport they are always there for me when I need them the most.”

Rebecca Matos, 18, King City High School — “I am thankful for my mom because she gives me the opportunity to express myself and she goes above and beyond to give me what I need.”

Samantha Nuno, 17, King City High School — “I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve gotten in school and how far I’ve gotten.”

Greenfield

Jose Alberto Acevedo, 10, Cesar Chavez Elementary School — “I am thankful for having a good teacher.”

Elayna Valenzuela, 10, Cesar Chavez Elementary School — “I’m thankful for my parents and my family.”

Susana Santiago, 12, Vista Verde Middle School — “This year I’m really thankful for the staff because they’re also working hard. For all the teachers who are working hard to have the students learn every day. I’m also thankful for the counselors who are really helping a lot this year, and I’m thankful that everything’s going well.”

Alejandro Zamora, 13, Vista Verde Middle School — “I’m thankful for my family. They came here to give me a better education. I’m trying to help them out back by doing better, with money and a new house so they can have a better life.”

Kimberly Zazueta, 17, Greenfield High School — “Every day waking up being healthy, my parents still being together, all the support I get from my friends and my family.”

Jorge Rojas, Greenfield High School — “This year I’m thankful for my family because without them I wouldn’t be here, my classmates, my teachers and all the staff members at my high school that help me in school.”

Soledad

Jayde Guerrero, 10, San Vicente Elementary School — “I’m thankful for my family and friends.”

Jonathan Villanuela, 7, San Vicente Elementary School — “I’m thankful for my family.”

Graciela Delira, 14, Main Street Middle School — “I’m thankful for having good teachers who are teaching me new skills and learning to go to high school.”

Diego Guillen, 12, Main Street Middle School — “I’m thankful for my friends and family and everyone that supports me.”

Andrea Zavala, 17, Soledad High School — “This year I am thankful for having my family and friends around. My advisers for always supporting me, and for everyone in our school supporting us to get through our high school careers.”

Jocelyn Ramirez, 17, Soledad High School — “Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating everything you love. On this Thanksgiving, I am more than thankful for my life, my family, my home and much more. Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.”

Aaron Arriaga, 16, Soledad High School — “I’m thankful for all the ladies in the office who help get our meetings in order.”

Gonzales

Jaylen Diaz, 9, La Gloria Elementary — “I’m thankful for my parents.”

Ozai Jimenez, 9, La Gloria Elementary — “I am thankful for my whole family because they gave me shelter and food and all the things I needed.”

Chloe Gallegos-
Maturino, 11, Fairview Middle School — “I am thankful for my family, friends and for having a house and food.”

Alec Garcia, Fairview Middle School — “I’m thankful for my friends and my family for taking care of me and my friends for taking care of me.”

Destiny Diaz, 16, Gonzales High School — “I’m thankful for the opportunities I’m able to take, like AP classes and so much to get ahead so I’m prepared for the real world.”

Angelina Flores, 17, Gonzales High School — “I’m thankful to be part of a class that has made history in Gonzales. We proved people wrong that we could improve in sports and our community can come together and create history.”