April 14th: Maggie McLeod

We are grateful always, for sunshine, and for the radiant spirits of our Ambassadors, whose goodness shines like sunbeams.

Today's #351GratitudeMoment comes from Sudbury, the home of Ambassador Maggie McLeod. Maggie's fierce commitment to social justice is wrapped in gentle kindness.

Her Launch Day essays outline her hopes for our world, "My dream for a better world is a place where people are treated fairly regardless of their race, ethnicity, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability. I dream for a world where the fight against climate change is a high priority. I dream for a world where hate crimes no longer exist. I dream for a world where people who have less, have the opportunity to thrive. I dream for a world where people unite to solve problems and the where the truth is always prevails." Maggie serves on the Amanda Gorman Service Hero team, which honors the country's first youth poet laureate. Maggie honored Amanda through her Spring Service and wrote, "I'm really inspired by how she uses the power of her voice to create positive change and 'good trouble' in the world." Based on her reflections on the wonderful team at the Ephraim Curtis Middle School, we think Maggie is doing just that! "I am thankful for the teachers and staff of my school. They go above and beyond to make sure my classmates and I are still able to learn, even though we are at home.

My teachers have given us virtual assignments and topics to learn about, and have given us ways to help us get through these tough times, like online check-ins and links to helpful resources. They also hold virtual meetings with my classmates and I, so that we can stay in touch.

I am deeply appreciative for these caring actions. Even through all of the challenges that are being thrown at everyone right now, my teachers continue to show how much they care about our school community.

My teachers make me feel hopeful that, as a school community, we can make it through these uncertain times together."

2w