News Article - Student Appreciation Posts

When you ask an HiHer for the definition of community, many will just gesture (metaphorically) to the feed and say, “See for yourself.” One of the best parts of the HiH website is acknowledged sitewide to be the open, welcoming, and supportive community between all of the students, any year, any house. Dean McCormick (voted as one of the top twelve Faces of 2015 - see Feature Article: The Faces of 2015 Issue #3) came up with a great way to promote and enhance the already strong community found on HiH. He came up with a magnificent way to tell someone exactly why you appreciate them, with appreciation letters. Which Dean explains in the post below:

“I'm gonna start something here, and you guys can do it too, if you want. Basically you just pick a person in the entire HiH community and write their name in all caps at the beginning of your post (text hearts are encouraged), and below that, write something you like about that person.”

The idea caught on pretty quickly, and many people participated, writing short, meaningful paragraphs about their fellow HiHers. Mr. McCormick answered a few questions about his idea:

Q: Why did you create the idea of the appreciation letters?

A: I created the appreciation posts to get the feed more active and to bring people closer together.

Q: What do you like most about the appreciation letters?

A: It’s a very positive experience seeing them on the feed, but there’s not something specific I like about it. I guess I like seeing lots of them.

Q: What do you think about seeing the posts so much on the feed?

A: “I’m very happy about what I started.”

A Post For Each Person:

And now we’ll review those past letters, featuring a couple different posts (to feature all of them would be to fill up the whole magazine) from one student to another.

Dean McCormick

DEANIE THE GENIE WITH A BEANIE WHO OWNS AN EAGLE BEAGLE THAT EATS PRINGLES <33333

I love that even though you aren't a Puff, you’re still a dedicated and loyal friend. You are hilarious and can make me laugh with the simplest of jokes. You get me and don't ever judge, so I can always rely on you to listen to whatever I say. Erm, don't know exactly what else to say, considering I basically tell you every day xD Just know that I love you, and it would be impossible to live my life without you in it :)

Lilia Le Fay

You are one of the smartest people I have ever met. Such talent! You do so much and you always have something going on. Usually something for the benefit of the HIH community. You are always up for some of the most entertaining conversations and you are just..the most perfect friend. You were one of my first friends and you were so nice to the newbie helping me get over my people fear. Congratulations for winning greatest human being award! Oh boy, I’m getting a bit cheesy, although I mean every word! Just to sum it up you are amazing and I am super lucky to have met you. <3

Tali Mere

I'm finding it a little bit hard to express my appreciation for you verbally. It would be so much easier if I could just give you an enormous bear hug, wouldn't it? Oh well. Maybe the digital ghosts will help me - they're a philosophical bunch. You're just always there, even at TWALVE o'clock in the morning. You bring out the best in me, even if it involves overwhelming amounts of *faceguitar*s. I don't know what I'd do without you. I've known you since, what, August 2014? Feels like my whole life, but I guess the time I've spent with you takes up most of my long term memory, as few other things are as important to me. Thank you so much for being my friend and making so many lasting memories. Remember when we used Trivia Crack to communicate? Good times, good times. And Christmas, when you put together my gift. That still makes me cry of happiness when I look at it. NEIN times a week being the average =P Love you Yet Untitled bestie <333

Lexi Horst

I feel like I'm yelling with the capitalized letters, anyone else? We've been friends for about a year now I find that super impressive. Thank you for all your motivation and love life advice, even though my love life is horrible still (not your fault). Thank you Lexi, for everything you've done ^_^

Grace Waterson

How can I even write this down? You're a band of charisma, energy and talent as well as my rock of motivation to keep going. I only became friends with you about a month ago and already I can't imagine HiH without you. You have made an impact that will remain at the heart of HiH and in the hearts of every student here. I love you!

Katniss Granger

I only started to know you just over a month ago, but already you have found a place in my heart. You are strong enough to keep going and I have faith in you. Don't give up, Kat, just do the right thing. Thanks so much for being my friend.

Misty Swanson

MISTY SWANSON <3<3<3<3(Do you like how I made you fourth, and four hearts? xD) I don't even know where to begin. You are so creative, writing amazing fanfiction and magazine articles. You've also managed to make me look at life in a completely different way. Before I met you I just took things as they were. But you have managed to let me see that you can always make things better (even if that does mean implementing fantastic characters) You are an amazing friend and never let me down. I love you to death sister-sister :)

Lucy Baeytorin

Just a great friend and a great person in general. You're always willing to help me out, whether it be with coursework, troubled friends or basically anything else. Just want you to know that I appreciate it greatly, and if you ever need anything from me, don't hesitate to ask. =P <3

Centurion Cohn

You're so clever and creative and always encourage me to keep going. I never fail to smile when I see your feedback comments and you bring me sunshine everyday! Plus, you were kind enough to offer to take me to the dance ;)

Cheyenne Alexander

Oh boy. Where do I start? You're honestly one of the kindest people I've ever met in my entire life. Even though you're treated unfairly more often than I would like, you're still there for me and everyone else. In all the time I've known you, you've been like a sister to me with your constant flow of support and encouragement. You'd do anything for me, whether it be screaming at me to go to bed, or just being there to talk to when I've had a bad day. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. <3

Hermione Lovegood

HERMIONE LOVEGOOD: I don't know you very well, but I hope we can become friends! You're super awesome <3

And finally, an appreciation letter-inspired post by Jimmy Dunwich to the whole HiH community! Which sums up the wonderful and prime community on this site.

My Fam.

 Here’s to the Jokers, the Workers and Lurkers, 

The Red, Green, Yellow and Blue. 

Up in the towers or down in the dungeons, 

They always have something to do. 

You may be a fourth year, 

The envy of all here, 

Studying hard, night and day.

 You might be a First year, 

Still finding your way here, 

We won’t let you fall on your way. 

With a spring in your step, and a smile on your face 

Or a comforting arm round a peer. 

You’re second to none, 

And mountains of fun 

The members of Hogwarts is Here XXX 

-Written and put together by Misty Swanson