Thankful.

Photo of Extraordinary Teen Awards 2020 winner Dominick Cocozza by Matt Mendelsohn.

I’m a glass-half-full kind of person, but this year has proved challenging for even the most buoyant of personalities. Assignments like this one, where I was able to speak with 10 outstanding teens and capture their stories for Arlington Magazine’s annual Extraordinary Teen Awards, gave me hope during this (equally extraordinary) time.

Posting it now, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, has set me to pondering what I’m grateful for in 2020. Here are two big ones: I’m thankful for strong relationships with fantastic editors who still reach out with assignments despite tight budgets, and for inspiring sources who provide meaningful connections to the world outside. I’m also thankful for teenagers with big hearts and bigger dreams! And you will be, too, after reading their stories.

Food and travel writing might be on hold indefinitely, but there will always be folks doing amazing things—and it will always be an honor to write about them.