Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November to give thanks for the good that has happened throughout the past year. Beyond the break from school and the familiar fall atmosphere, the day is rooted in long-standing traditions that center on gratitude, family, and shared meals. Most celebrations revolve around gathering with loved ones for a large feast featuring classics like turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Over time, these dishes have become symbolic of the holiday itself, marking Thanksgiving as a tradition many families look forward to each year.

“What makes it so special is seeing all the hard work everyone puts into making their dishes. Everyone is proud to showcase their meal to the family, and it allows us to have a great time overall.” Junior, Maverick Rivera, said.

While Thanksgiving is a nationally recognized American holiday, many students say the occasion blends seamlessly with their cultural traditions as well. Rivera explains that Thanksgiving can be a meaningful cultural experience, especially when families incorporate foods unique to their backgrounds. Cooking becomes a way to pass down memories, share heritage, and connect generations.

“I really enjoy the Thanksgiving experience because my extended family brings food I haven’t tried before,” Rivera said. “We share meals and discuss them, and we put out a ranking so we can find out which dish is the best. We like to keep it as a competitive game between family members.”

Although food is at the center of many celebrations, students also emphasize that the holiday’s meaning extends far beyond the table. For some, Thanksgiving represents long-awaited reunions and the rare chance to gather with distant relatives.

“Thanksgiving is special for me, it’s the one time my family from Russia gets to come over to the US.” Junior, Jasley Jernigan said, “As we’ve introduced new members to the family, we’ve gotten new traditions.”

For others, the holiday becomes an opportunity to reconnect with family members they seldom get to see throughout the year.

“Half my family is overseas, so we don’t get to see each other much, which means we don’t interact as much. So it’s a great opportunity for me to meet up with my cousins, uncles, and aunts.” Rivera said.

Despite the wide range of traditions – whether it’s cooking competitions, cultural dishes, or international reunions—the meaning of Thanksgiving often remains the same. It’s a day dedicated to appreciating the people who surround you and recognizing the gratitude that ties families together.

“It means the world to me, because it’s the one time I get to see my grandma,” Jernigan said.

For many students, even simple traditions make the day memorable.

“Cooking with my grandpa, we don’t really spend a lot of time together, but when we do, it’s usually cooking, and I enjoy the time a lot.” Junior Aisa Morales said.