Everyone has a special way to celebrate and remember Thanksgiving. Some might associate Thanksgiving with a week long trip or maybe even a warm meal with their family. Others might even think of Thanksgiving as just another day of quiet rest at home.

Personally, I feel that I have a set way of celebrating my Thanksgiving holidays. Every year, for the past nine years, I have been celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family at school.

At our school, we have a tradition of having our Thanksgiving celebration in our gym. From the morning of our annual banquet, students’ parents come to set up tables, decorations, and candles. We have shortened classes and right around lunch time, all students get seated per grade around a lavishly decorated table. Then we have various festivities that run for hours long.

While all students and parents are seated around tables, the student-led orchestra, Middle School choir, Handbell choir, and other groups perform. At this time, everyone is also served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, corn, ham, pumpkin pie, and so much more. So while watching performances, students can bond and have a delicious meal.

However, the most unique thing on this day is a huge stack of canned foods occupying the stage. Every year, throughout the Thanksgiving week, our school aims to give back to the community by collecting canned foods. This year, we collected over three thousand cans and had them on display throughout all the performances and meal. So not only do we get to enjoy the warmth of Thanksgiving, but we also have the chance to share what we have.

In this way, I celebrate Thanksgiving. With people I love and sharing love with others.

<Ashley Kim/ New Covenant Academy 11th>