Hi, ’04s! The fall is now fully upon us. And while I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful foliage this season brings or at least reminiscing about the beauty of Dartmouth this time of the year, I am sure it’s not far from your minds that 2020 will soon be drawing to a close. I feel comfortable saying I don’t think any of us imagined on December 31, 2019, the type of year that 2020 has turned out to be. But I hope everyone has gotten to experience some of life’s simple joys amidst the collective challenges we all have faced this year.

In that vein, congratulations are in order for Lindsay Clark and her husband, Stephen, who welcomed their first child, Samantha Tobias, into the world on December 28, 2019. I am told that Samantha is a very happy and healthy baby! And one silver lining to the pandemic is all the extra time Lindsay and Stephen have gotten to spend with her. Lindsay also reports that she is currently delving into bioinformatics analysis, consultation, and training at the Carver Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and that Stephen is a combat AI programmer at Deep Silver Volition, a video game studio.

And for all of us, as our minds begin to turn to Thanksgiving and the various December holidays and thinking about what those holidays will look like during a global pandemic, I hope we can also all find some time to reflect on this year and thank those individuals who have been a source of support and strength during these uncertain times. To that end, thanks to all of you for continuing to trust me to share your stories with our class and the entire Dartmouth community. It’s a real privilege to have this opportunity and always brings a smile to my face to hear from classmates near and far. Last but not least, happy Thanksgiving, and may you and your families continue to be safe and well!

—Johanna Thomas, 14 Logan Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005; johannarthomas@gmail.com