BYU-Idaho students show what they are grateful for with the Student Service Activities’ Grateful Tree.
The Grateful Tree is located in the Service Activities office in the Hyrum Manwaring Student Center, and students can “plant” their gratitude by writing what they are grateful for on a Post-it note and placing it on the tree.
“I’m grateful for friends,” said Antonio Martinez, a sophomore studying health psychology. “I show that I am grateful for my friends by giving advice, but also by building a trust between them to where I got their back and they got my back.”
Service Activities is part of Student Activities and seeks to help students serve others, according to the Service Activities Web page.
“Our number one goal is to help preserve the Spirit of Ricks on campus,” said Angelica Mendoza, a junior studying humanities and organizer of the Grateful Tree.
Mendoza said when she sees “grateful leaves” on the tree, she feels she has captured the spirit of gratitude.
“I’m grateful for the many talents we are given,” said Megan Amorino, a senior majoring in university studies. “I’ve had many opportunities to perform all over the world with singing. Being able to sing and touch other people’s lives with that spirit means a great deal to me.”
Student Service Activities encourages students to post on the tree, but also on social media outlets, according to the BYU-Idaho Service Activities Facebook page.
Mendoza said that having the Grateful Tree located in the Student Activities office and also having students share what they are grateful for online allows the students to be unified with students on campus and online.
“By sending texts and sacrificing time and effort, I let my family know that I am grateful for them and all they do,” said Jonathan Gervasi, a senior studying exercise physiology.
Many students have found that they can show their gratitude in different ways around campus and across the country.
Cassie Dauphin, a junior studying communication, said she is grateful for nature and that she can show her gratitude by sitting outside and appreciating the world around her.
“I wake up at six on Wednesday mornings and go to the temple,” said Kayla Abplanalp, a freshman studying elementary education. “I’m extremely grateful to live so close to a temple since, back home in North Carolina, it was about an hour drive to the temple and I want to take advantage of this opportunity in my life of living just five minutes from the temple.”
Student Service Activities invites students to learn the doctrines of Christlike service, render service to others and cultivate a desire for lifelong service, according to the Service Activities Web page.
“I’m extremely grateful to be here and attend this school,” said Dylan Howard, a sophomore studying communication. “As students, we have a majority of tuition paid for, relatively cheap housing and such a great education for a small price compared to other schools. It’s a great blessing to be able to attend school here.”
Student Service Activities has a purpose of serving the community with student-led projects, programs and events, according to the Service Activities Web page.
Kelley Andrews, a freshman studying special education, said she looks for opportunities to serve those around her daily.
“I’m grateful for all the people who help me day-to-day and I want to show my appreciation by serving others whenever I get the chance,” Andrews said.
Student Service Activities encourages students to “plant” their gratitude on the Grateful Tree as well as to post what they are grateful for on the I’m Indeed Grateful Facebook page.