Over 230 years ago, President George Washington designated late November as a time to give thanks for the reaping of the crops from the fall harvest. It was declared an official federal holiday under President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. American history recognizes the first Thanksgiving in 1621 in a three day harvest feast between the Native Americans and Pilgrims.
For many the holiday represents a time of eating their favorite side dishes and spending time with extended family. For some it’s time at home, hosting family and for others they leave town to go see family.
Kenwood junior Genesis R shares, “My family rotates whose house we gather at for the holiday and over the holiday weekend while we’re all together for Thanksgiving, we also a few days later exchange our gifts for Christmas as well.”
Some see Thanksgiving as the starting point to Christmas. Shortly after the turkey is carved they’re moving in to their Christmas prep for the upcoming holiday. Kenwood English teacher Ms Glenn shares, “Thanksgiving for us has always been a time to pause our busy life with our kids, to go visit family that’s six hours away up by Lake Erie. It’s also the start of all our Christmas prep too as we love to go shopping on Black Friday and we hunt down our outdoor Christmas tree as soon as we get home to begin decorating for Christmas.”
Extra time with family seems to be the common theme of how Kenwood spends their Thanksgiving break. Freshmen Isaiah P adds, “I usually spend my time with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We usually spend the night, then we eat, and after we eat I usually play with my cousin.”
Kenwood itself gets in to the Thanksgiving holiday spirit whether it’s through creative assignments in class like gratitude writing exercises or Kenwood’s National Honor Society’s annual supply drive. On Saturday, Nov 11, NHS collected over 100 items for Kenwood’s Grab & Go Station. “We received over a dozen toothbrushes, soaps, and razors, along with several deodorants, lip balms, and travel size shampoos. We were hoping for a little more, but are pleased with restocking the Grab&Go station,” shared Kenwood advisor Ms. McNulty.
Mrs. Mariner’s class participated in their Fifth Annual Turkey Races yesterday and today. “The races are a game where the students have to answer history questions to find items hidden around the school to build a zipline and race their turkey to freedom,” she shares. It’s a well loved tradition in the halls of Kenwood.
However you spend your Thanksgiving holiday or give gratitude or pay kindness forward during this season of giving we hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
