"A Letter of Thanks" by Kenzie Howard

Happy Turkey Day!!

My name is Kenzie Howard, a I am a junior pre-law student from The Woodlands, Texas. I am studying English honors in the Liberal Arts Honors Program and pursuing a communications minor. In addition to being the Publicity Director for Alpha Xi, I am a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Order of Omega and a Young Life small group. I wanted to write a post because I have been managing the blog all year long but have yet to compose any original content myself. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to express thanks for a few of the people and things that have helped shape my time here at UT.

First of all, I am thankful that God led me to the University of Texas at Austin. While I sometimes might question it, I know I am meant to be here. Through UT, I have had many wonderful experiences, like studying abroad in Oxford, England and attending lectures from Olympic gold medalists and CMOs of Fortune 500 companies.

I am thankful for my family for supporting me through everything. From talking to me on my long walks to class, to coming to various family weekend events, I am grateful for all they do and for emboldening me to be the best version of myself.

I am thankful for the friends I have made so far in college and look forward to those I will make in these last few semesters. I am grateful for their words of encouragement, advice and support. I am so lucky to have found family away from my family.

I am thankful for my sisterhood in Alpha Xi Delta. I have had the opportunity to interact with an amazing group of women who each have wonderful gifts and talents. Joining this organization made my transition from a high school with less than 400 students to a university with over 50,000 students nearly seamless. I have also had the privilege of serving in several leadership roles in Alpha Xi, and each has taught me life lessons I will carry with me after college.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you will take some time to reflect on who and what you are thankful for.