Despite the gloomy weather, challenging economy and looming election, local students proved they still had lots to be thankful for.Fifty young people wrote on the topic Why I Am Thankful, as part of the annual Pettit Thanksgiving Essay Competition.Seven compelling young writers were chosen as finalists this week.Allanna Bean and Shamari Smith from the Berkeley Institute, Sophie Booth-Kempe and Caroline Skinner from Bermuda High School, Husna Farooqui from CedarBridge Academy, Cameron Forbes from the Learning Express Academy and Keira Whited of Mount Saint Agnes Academy were selected by a judging panel.The students will be honoured, and the overall winner announced, at an awards reception hosted by Premier Paula Cox at Camden on Wednesday at 4pm.The first prize winner will receive a $1,000 grant, while the six finalists will take home commendation of excellence awards and a $500 grant. Each student’s school will receive a matching grant.The Pettit Thanksgiving Essay Competition is currently in its milestone 15th year. The contest is named after late NBC television correspondent Tom Pettit, who lived briefly in Bermuda; it’s organised through the registered charity The Pettit Grants with the goal of inspiring tomorrow’s journalists.It also aims to encourage young people to share in the spirit of the American Thanksgiving and showcase their writing talent by reflecting on a simple topic. All secondary school students in Bermuda are eligible to enter.Since its inception in 1997, talented young writers and their schools have been awarded over $75,000 in prizes.This year’s judges included Royal Gazette lifestyle reporter Nadia Arandjelovic, Bermuda Sun senior reporter Raymond Hainey, educator Florenz Maxwell and Justice Minister Kim Wilson.It was generously funded by partners Edmund Gibbons Ltd and Tokio Millennium Re; and supported by Orbis Investment Management and a private benefactor.Board members are former US Consul to Bermuda Robert Farmer, Mervin Holland, Patricia Pettit, Muriel Richardson and Kim White.