Harvesting Gratitude: EDHS’ Giving Thanks

By Molly Ridenour

Reminder:

For all El Diamante High School students, Thanksgiving break will be from Friday, November 17th to Sunday, November 19th. It has been highly anticipated at school to have a break as both teachers and students are in need of it. As this semester winds down, students are eagerly looking forward to a break, a pause; a chance to recharge before finals. We can all use this time to connect with our loved ones, celebrate traditions, and create memories. Don’t forget to catch up on rest and…school work. Take this time to also reflect on gratitude and wind-down from the crazy life of academics. 

Thanksgiving is a renowned American holiday that roots back to the early 17th-century events such as the Pilgrims’ harvest feast with the Native Americans. In the aftermath of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln formally announced Thanksgiving to be a national holiday in 1863. It has a very significant symbolic meaning that has evolved throughout time to embrace community, thankfulness, and reaching its historical roots. Thanksgiving happens on the fourth Thursday of every November, making it on November 23rd this year. This is a time for giving thanks, reflecting on your life, and sharing a large dinner with family and friends.

There are many different traditions and different types of foods that come from this holiday. It is filled with culinary customs that differ widely all throughout homes and geographical areas. For example, the roast turkey is commonly the focal point of the dinner; it represents gratitude and abundance. It is commonly served with a variety of side dishes, such as green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and stuffing– all traditional favorites. Many families use custom family recipes that have been handed down through generations to represent the diversity of the cultures in the US. Another example is the famous, classic, pumpkin pie dessert. Notable mentions include: sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and cherry pie. Thanksgiving traditions extend beyond the food and also offer thanks, parades, and spending time with loved ones. Thanksgiving is a great holiday that celebrates a diverse range of dishes and traditions. 

We decided to ask around campus to see what other’s favorite Thanksgiving meals and traditions were. Senior, Chance Ybarra, “Mashed potatoes, I like mashed potatoes a lot, without gravy though. I don’t like the flavor,” he also added that their family tradition is “getting together and destroying each other in board games!”

Walking around campu we stumbled upon Mrs. Lopez and Wes talking together. When asked “What is your favorite Thanksgiving food and tradition?”, Lopez said, “We always get together with my mom’s side of the family and my favorite food is anything my mom’s cousins don’t make.” Wes sadly did not have a favorite either.

Another one of our beloved teachers, Mr. Romero, commented that he is thankful for, “My family, they are very healthy, they are working, and they are doing good in life.” He continued with “another thing I’m thankful for is my students…they challenge me to be a better teacher.” Also noting that Mr. Romero came from Mexico when he was a freshman in high school, because of this his family slowly started celebrating Thanksgiving. His family cooks Mexican cuisine, “Tamales, we don’t do turkey or anything.” Thanksgiving can be celebrated in many ways, in any way you’d like.”