By Ayah Hassan, Staff Writer
Thanksgiving break is just around the corner! Whether you’re planning on celebrating Thanksgiving or not, many people have special plans to look forward to, including (but not limited to) food, traveling, and/or special traditions. Let’s take a look at what some of our very own River Hill Hawks have planned for the upcoming break.
When you think of some traditional Thanksgiving foods, you often think of mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, pie, and most famously: turkey. Although Turkey is a common food to serve at Thanksgiving dinner, people often have mixed feelings about it. Some love the delicious seasoned meat, but others might prefer chicken or–because turkey is a larger bird and might be more difficult to fully cook–think it’s too dry most of the time. Sophomore Leilah Fokar states, “I love turkey!” Junior Katie Lee disagrees, stating that she “[doesn’t] like turkey.”
Thanksgiving is not just about eating food, but it is also about giving thanks and reflecting on what you’re thankful for. “My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is when we’re all seated by the table. When it’s time to eat we all say what we’re thankful for,” sophomore Abi Asante conveys. One of the best ways to give thanks is by spending quality time with the people you love. Senior Harrison McCarthy shares an annual Thanksgiving tradition with his family. “I go shopping with my grandparents and eat a whole heck ton of food on Thanksgiving day,” he says.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend time and gather with family and friends. “My family and I are going to have a big Thanksgiving party,” Junior Kula B Thompson expresses. Ms. Wester, a Chemistry teacher at River Hill explains.“We do a chosen family Thanksgiving. My really good friends come to town, and they all have boyfriends and girlfriends now, so there’s going to be like 14 people at my house!” Junior Carolina Alphonso anticipates watching “the Macy’s thanksgiving parade with [her] family.”
Although some people plan to stay home or see family, others are traveling during this five day break, like junior Rachel Bowers who goes to “Florida to visit my grandparents and cousins every Thanksgiving.” Freshman Yashna Gulgani is also “planning on traveling to London,” and freshman Anjali Jain, who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, “might go on a cruise out of Baltimore” during the break.
Not only is Thanksgiving break a good opportunity to travel, it is also an opportunity to take a breather and relieve school stress. Junior Michael Yarin anticipates “resting” during his Thanksgiving break. Since teachers are prevented from assigning work over break, students are able to enjoy that time stress free without having to constantly be thinking of school work in the back of their mind.
Whether you’re looking forward to staying home, sleeping, eating, traveling, or hanging out with friends and family, we hope you make the most of this break.