Two Minute Thank You- James Jones

          My dad asked if I wanted to go for ride, my mom told me I could do anything, my grandfather took me to the lake. My parents were there for me during the hard times, my cousin put up with me when I was younger. My teachers have always encouraged me. DWS sold me my first guitar, Himes taught me how to play. The county clerk's office worker said "you passed," my mom said "it seems like it's perfect for you," the previous owner said "she's yours," my dad asked if I wanted to drive. My mom said just another month,"  the test administrator gave me the little orange sticker, my parents said "drive safe."

Two-Minute Thank You - Charlie Grimes

My mom taught me all of the manners I know. My dad taught me to always lighten others’ loads. My sister always set the path ahead, making for countless “Oh, I knew Virginia!’s.” My family taught me to have a sense of humor, and that everything in life didn’t have to be taken so seriously. My friends taught me how to be loyal. Summer camp taught me to be independent, and to realize that I could, in fact, live without my parents. Yosemite taught me that nature is the cure to all worries, needless stresses, and ills. School taught me that hard work will eventually pay off, and that sometimes not talking is the best kind of talking. Music taught me to have an open mind, and to not judge so harshly. TV taught me that everyone has a story worth telling, and that everyone has something to say. 17 years on this earth has taught me, as cheesy as it may be, to be myself and to be comfortable with who I am. Everyone in life deserves a thanks for something, no matter how small. So thank you to everyone who has taught me valuable lessons, and thank you to those who will teach me more lessons in the future.

Two Minute Thank You-Maddie Wheeler

My mom made me clean my room. My teachers taught me to be organized. My dad made me develop an opinion. My sister made me fight back. My friend bought me a water bottle. A random man said Merry Christmas. A woman at target bought my groceries. My boyfriend said my banana bread was delicious. The doctor sat with me while my grandmother was in surgery. Lacrosse taught me teamwork. Marching band taught me leadership and discipline. The nurses brought me coffee. The man at Starbucks liked my shirt, he gave me half off. Bernie Sanders sent me a free bumper sticker. My dog taught me to care for another life. Donald Trump taught me that some people are just stupid. My car taught me responsibility. Everyone taught me how to be good.

Two minute thank you- Walt Finch

My dad said "I thought you played well."  My coach said "youre playing great we're going to get you more opportunities."  My friend said, "Finally! Let's go."  The scorebook said I didn't play. Then it said it again and again and again. My coach said, "I really need you this year." My friends said, "Don't waste your time we want you to be happy." My parents said, "Don't play we want to go on vacation this year." My heart said, "I don't quit." The assistant said, "He's a different player." The scorebook said, "Walt Finch, 11 pts, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 charges taken." My best friend said, "Don't stop showing them they're idiots."

Two Minute Thank You Emmet

Katy lent us her shoes when we got bored with plastic swords. My brother showed me how to catch frogs in the city drains, and taught me how to name them. Tom taped up my hand when we tried to hide the blood from the parents - safety always a priority. Mrs. Franklin told me not to give up when it was time to learn math, "you can do other things." Kyle tried to stop the wreck I caused, and got the weight of the machine and a broken leg for his trouble. Leland made sure I got home safe nearly every time. Some girls strike the right balance, keep the optimism down but the happiness intact. Mr. D. told me where to start reading. She said "of course I was driving," because cars don't wreck themselves. My aunt told me not to worry when the child burst into tears upon encountering my resemblance to her father.

Two Minute Thank You Jacob Ferguson

My computer said that's not a word. I said yeah it is. Wikipedia said new words are created constantly. Urban Dictionary nodded its head in agreement. Merriam Webster said words are considered by committee based on their usage and commonality. My friends said it just doesn't make sense. My keyboard made clicking noises constantly for months. My hands made folding sounds as the paper went into the envelope. My tongue made licking noises as it slid across the seal. My clock said just wait. My friends said froop. My teachers reluctantly said froop. My email said you have been accepted. The New York Times said froop. The Washington Post said froop. Soon TV said froop. Twitter said froop. I said swag.

Two minute thank you- Andrew Collins

Use more air, said the director. Be confident. I know it sucks, but if you just get it done now you won't have to do it later, she advised. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later. He held the door open when my hands were full. They were always right by my side, making sure everything I did was logical and helpful. Just keep moving, It'll help you stay upright. If you take the backroads it'll be quicker. Just ease off the clutch and give it plenty of gas. You've just got to put in a little effort, that's all it takes. Almost there, don't give up now. We made you dinner while you were out. If you just think about it from a different perspective it'll make a lot more sense.

Two-Minute Thank You- Sloan Warner

My dad said, "Read more". My mom said, "Slow down, you are driving too fast". My grandmother said, "hold your fork the right way". My grandfather said, "Listen here, son...". My grandmother said, "Give back, and you'll thank yourself later". My other grandmother said, "Let's take a walk". Uncle John taught me to think critically and clearly, on a deeper level. Aunt Carol taught me to be caring and thoughtful to others. Aunt Jennifer said, "Be calm, be happy". Mr. J said, "Let your arms hang loose when you're on the board". Mr. Conley taught me to be spontaneous. My camp counselor said, "Use your hip straps on the backpack, you'll thank me later". Coach Downs aggressively said, "Don't think so much!" Logan said, "Live life. Have fun!". Austin always had my back.

The stranger stopped me on the street, and said, "You're a good kid".

two minute thank you (soccer) - Emily Cashman

My mom said, "play hard." "Kick with the inside of your foot," my dad said. My mom told Margaret and I we had a try-out. Nick punted the ball in the air, and we all chased it. Ally suggested I might want to try out being a goalie. "Nice save," my teammates said. Steve let us rub his hair for good luck. The doctor said, "I'm afraid it's a broken wrist." Kimberley suggested outside-mid. "What happened at school today?" - the beginning of every carpool. Ian yelled, "Is this some sort of country club sport to you?" Marco joined the carpool. Ted made us train. Warren let us do our own thing. Robbie asked, "Do you want to stay for the Varsity game?" I got new jerseys, I joined the team, I became a captain. "Congrats on a great season," said everyone. And Mebit said "Why?"

Two minute thank you- David chen

My dad said wake up. Mrs.B said turn in your homework. Some fat kid said give me your lunch. I said you're better off without it. Joe showed me "How to Kill a Mockingbird." The fake veterinarian showed me how to kill an actual bird. My grades taught me I should study. My teacher said "you should study harder." Steve said "just a page a day of homework. It really adds up." Well. cant say I didn't try. The internet taught me how to meme and be informed. Popular social media plagues my nightmares. Hopefully those people on Twitter and Instagram don't make me cringe into oblivion before my time has come.

two minute thank you on philosophy- will mathews

Voltaire taught me that “common sense is not so common”. Kant said that in ethics, I’d be guilty if I even thought of violating the rights of others. Descartes said that “I think therefore I am”.  Montesquieu showed me the power of books by saying, “I have never known any distress that an hours reading did not relieve.” Locke let me see the value of hands on experience by saying, “no man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.” I learned to have tough skin from Rousseau who said “insults are the arguments of those employed by those who are in the wrong.” Bacon revealed the power of age by saying, “Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.”  Aristotle on education said “the roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” Socrates taught me humility, divulging “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.” Finally Hume taught me perhaps my moist important lesson, “Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man.”

Two minute thanks- brandon castillo

"Look up while you're dribbling" Coach L said. "Crack the egg, then let all the yoke pour into the bowl" my mom said. They all would cheer for me, "Run Brandon run". They all would cheer me up, "it's okay", that's what they would say. Reading the "Congratulations" on college letters, doing nothing else but running to my parents to read the rest. My cousin saying "Merry Christmas" to me, then another saying it, then another, and another. Then my aunt saying it, then my uncle, and grandpa, and grandma.


Being able to open my eyes every morning. Laughing with a full stomach. Running with no worries. Getting shots from the doctor. Living in America.

Maddie Wheeler-Performance Review

I had the privilege of attending an amazing concert with my boyfriend yesterday, of one of our favorite bands, Houndmouth. I don't know how to describe their genre, other than good, but Wikipedia seems to call them folk rock and Americana. The concert was held at the Madison theater in Covington, KY at 8 pm on November 21st. The band includes four 20somethings from Louisville, who have managed to hit it big with their most popular song Sedona, and their two EPs that were released in 2013 and earlier this year. 

The concert was general admission, standing room only, and the aesthetic is the only thing I would have expected for one of their concerts. The Madison was packed with a combination of underage hipsters with Xs on their hands, tipsy hipsters in cowboy boots, and completely drunk men with man buns who came with their girlfriends in fringe tops. The band members were actively having a beer or two while on stage, increasing the level of comfort between the audience and the band. They had been on tour in other states for a while, and made it known that they were incredibly happy to be in their old Kentucky home. 

The technical aspects of the concert were a little bit hilarious. The bands costumes range from a tee and jeans, to a red fringe dress, to the lead singer Matt who wore a loose shiny gold top, tight jeans, and some Jordans. At one point the band had the venue turn down the lights to sing their rather slow song Palmyra. 

The band performed all of their songs from their more recent EP with energy and responsiveness from the audience. It was evident that everyone who was there was excited to be, drunk or not. Unfortunately my boyfriend fell very ill during the concert since he was battling a fever and cold all week, and we chose to leave with about 45 minutes left, so I could nurse him back to health. We are both sad we didn't get to see the entire show, but forcing him to stick through it wasn't even a thought in my mind. 

I enjoyed every second of the concert, and I would give it a solid 9/10. 

Also, here is a crappy 10 second snapchat video of when they sang Palmyra.