On Tuesday, November 21, Doane Stuart held its annual Thanksgiving Chapel. Students processed to piano music provided by Isabel Barats ’20 of Slingerlands. An opening prayer was read by Mr. Ocampo, Mrs. Correa, Mr. Bowman, Ms. Bracken, Mrs. Gallagher, Mr. Van Winkle, and Mr. Hodgkinson.
Mr. Corwin delivered this year’s reflection and had this to say about giving thanks: “People who are grateful for what they have live happy lives. People who thank others have friends. Thanking someone is good manners. It is an act of decency. It is what your parents have taught you to do. For me, and I hope for you, giving thanks happens every day, not just one day of the year.”
In addition to his thoughts on giving thanks, Mr. Corwin led students and faculty through an exercise rooted in Buddhist tradition. He asked everyone to express gratitude and to appreciate themselves by having each person in the chapel write a note to themselves. As Mr. Corwin stated, “Express gratitude for the life you have. Compassion begins from within and radiates out. You can simply appreciate yourself, or think of a time when things didn’t go well and forgive yourself for your part in it.” Mr. Hetko provided guitar during this time of reflection.
Following Mr. Corwin’s remarks, a closing prayer was delivered by Mr. Martinez.
The full chapel is available below.