There’s only one word that needs to be said this month: “Thanks!” This Thanksgiving, ACES students are finding things to be thankful for, sharing their holiday traditions, and discussing their favorite foods.
Food is, by far, the most memorable aspect of Thanksgiving. Of course, we all know the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians, but being teenagers, ACES students are more excited about the feast than they are about the back-story.
“My favorite food to eat on Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes. It’s the only thing I eat on Thanksgiving,” said Jade LaFave.
No two students seem to agree when it comes to their favorite foods. Some students weren’t even certain what foods they liked best!
“It all depends on what there is. I like stuffing with salt, cranberry sauce, turkey and gravy, and I like the biscuits,” said Stephanie Short.
Turkey is often associated with Thanksgiving, yet many students did not say that it was their favorite thing to munch on during the holiday.
“I like stuffing with gravy,” said Dustin Klein.
Not all families celebrate Thanksgiving with a pumpkin pie; in fact, some people get creative with their desserts.
“My mom makes pumpkin cobbler, and it’s really delicious,” said Maggie Shubert.
Besides food, there are plenty of things to be thankful for this year, and the students at ACES Academy had several touching things for which they were thankful.
“I’m thankful for the family I have in my life,” said Jade LaFave. Maggie Shubert agreed, adding that she was also thankful for her boyfriend and her friends.
Other students were thankful for more obvious reasons.
“I guess I’m thankful for having a roof over my head,” said Dustin Klein.
As the season gets colder, students are finding that they are more thankful for the heating in their homes.
“I’m thankful for warm, heated houses with blankets. I like warmth,” said Stephanie Short, bundled in her hoodie.
Traditions are often part of family gatherings, however traditions seem to be dying. Many students agreed that their families don’t have any traditions on Thanksgiving. Those who did have family traditions agreed that they mostly consisted of the Thanksgiving dinner.
“Dinner and football is basically it. Football all day in a heated house and then dinner,” said Stephanie Short.
Most students are too shy to admit that their family likes to have a good time on Thanksgiving, but Taylor Riddle showed no shame when admitting to his families Thanksgiving tradition.
“We usually eat food. Sometimes we get together and some of the ‘older’ people get drunk,” he said.
Families often gather for the holidays, yet most ACES students said that they celebrate Thanksgiving with just their immediate family: moms, dads, and siblings are usually the only ones present for Thanksgiving.
“I usually celebrate Thanksgiving with my family: my mother, siblings, and sometimes my grandparents. It all depends on who comes and visits us,” said Taylor Riddle.
Thanksgiving is the season to give thanks for the things you have, but it’s also the season to feast on turkey, stuffing, and biscuits and gravy.