Over the years, gratitude has changed tremendously, from material possession to human connections. Whether it’s family or electronics, someone is always grateful for something.

Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, many people have started to think about what they are thankful for. The Sun interviewed people from different grades to see what everyone is thankful for.

The Horizon Sun: What does gratitude mean to you?

Neelahn Johnston (7th Grade): “Gratitude to me means to be thankful for something. It can be what someone does for a person or just everyday objects like having a bed.”

The Sun: What are you most grateful for this year?

NJ (7): “The thing I’m grateful for the most this year is probably having the opportunity to tutor other kids. This shows me what a job looks like, and I’m grateful for the people I showed to help them out with their struggles.”

The Sun: How do you believe gratitude has changed over the years?

NJ (7): “I believe people have been less appreciative of what they have been given or already received. Some kids these days expect what they cannot afford and don’t feel lucky to have everyday objects.”

The Sun: Do you believe that electronics are one of the biggest things people are grateful for? Why or why not?

NJ (7): “I feel like this question depends on the audience. I do think kids and teens do very appreciate things like their phones, but in general, I don’t believe adults appreciate phones the most. They most likely would appreciate something like going to the gym, or if adults have visual problems, they would appreciate glasses and contacts.”

The Horizon Sun: What does gratitude mean to you?

Anonymous (8th grader): “To be a good person. It’s one of the most important qualities to be a good person.”

The Sun: What are you most grateful for this year?

A (8): “My family and friends and the roof over my head.”

The Sun: How do you believe gratitude has changed over the years?

A (8): “Kids have been given more material stuff, and when they are given just simple things, they aren’t as grateful as they should be because they’re spoiled.”

The Sun: Do you believe that electronics are one of the biggest things people are grateful for? Why or why not?

A (8): “Yes, because kids cannot live without their phones now and Roblox.”

The Horizon Sun: What does gratitude mean to you?

Shaia Yardeni (9th grader): “Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and not being upset about what you don’t have.”

The Sun: What are you most grateful for this year?

SY (9): “I am grateful for my friends and family!”

The Sun: How do you believe gratitude has changed over the years?

SY (9): “I believe gratitude changes as we grow up and mature. When you are a kid, you are grateful for toys or TV, and when you are older, you are grateful for people and money.”

The Sun: Do you believe that electronics are one of the biggest things people are grateful for? Why or why not?

SY (9): “I definitely think that people are grateful for electronics since people are very dependent on them.”

The Horizon Sun: What does gratitude mean to you?

Camila Tagle (10th grade): “Gratitude is being thankful for what you get.”

The Sun: What are you most grateful for this year?

CT (10): “I’m grateful for the chance to be in a leadership role in theater and help my friends.”

The Sun: How do you believe gratitude has changed over the years?

CT (10): “I think people are becoming grateful for different things, like in the past people were grateful for houses, but now we are grateful for relationships.”

The Sun: Do you believe that electronics are one of the biggest things people are grateful for? Why or why not?

CT (10): “Actually, I don’t think so because people take electronics for granted and don’t understand how much it means because they grew up with it.”

The Horizon Sun: What does gratitude mean to you?

Kasen Bush (11th grade): “To me, gratitude is showing that you see what others have done for you and showing appreciation for it.”

The Sun: What are you most grateful for this year?

KB (11): “This year, I am most grateful for my parents because they support me through everything that I do, not that my brothers do.”

The Sun: How do you believe gratitude has changed over the years?

KB (11): “I think over the years people have forgotten how to be grateful and have become more used to people doing things for them as a normality.”

The Sun: Do you believe that electronics are one of the biggest things people are grateful for? Why or why not?

KB (11): “I believe that electronics are something that people are very grateful for and also take advantage of. Tech does so much for us and makes our lives a lot better, but people forget we used to not always have it.”

The Horizon Sun: What does gratitude mean to you?

Ayla Edwards (12th grader): “To me, gratitude means to acknowledge what you have and your friends and family and what they’ve done for you.”

The Sun: What are you most grateful for this year?

AE (12): “I would say I’m very grateful for my family and my friends, especially because I’m about to leave, so it gives me more appreciation for them.”

The Sun: How do you believe gratitude has changed over the years?

AE (12): “I would say it’s become less materialistic. When I was little, it was more toys, but getting older, it’s more about my family.”

The Sun: Do you believe that electronics are one of the biggest things people are grateful for? Why or why not?

AE (12): “I would say people are very grateful for them. I don’t know that people should put as much stock as people should put on electronics as we do. We need to focus more on human connection.”

Over time, electronics have shaped our lives. In 2025’s digital age, electronics could either be something someone is grateful for or something that teaches them how to be grateful. When interviewing, some believe that people are grateful for electronics, while others argue that they are taken for granted. Nevertheless, many online platforms, like TikTok and YouTube, have content creators who teach people and remind them to be grateful this year. Whether it’s a mindful moment or an empathy video, this content reminds viewers to be grateful for what they have.