One of the many things students look forward to in November is Thanksgiving and fall break-- a time where we sit down with our families from far and wide to not only chow down on some good food but to spend time with each other.
Students and staff were asked about some of their family traditions. They had this to say:
Mandy Koch, 6-12 band teacher, said, “Our family gathers together for large meals, we
play games, write Christmas lists, and plan for Black Friday shopping.”
Lydia Otten, a senior, commented: “We don't have a whole lot of traditions but we always watch the Thanksgiving parade. We always switch on and off every year where we go. One year we do Thanksgiving with our Otten side at the Lake of the Ozarks with my aunt and her family. Other years we have Thanksgiving at our own house and invite my mom’s parents over. A day filled with family and lots of good food!”
New Haven High weighed in on what their three favorite dishes were:
Mrs. Melissa Bruckerhoff, a high school special ed teacher, said, “Grandma Adele's Stuffing, Grandma Belle's Chocolate Dessert, and Deep Fried Cajun Turkey.”
Destiney Quick, a sophomore, voiced: “Turkey, some kind of sweet potato casserole, and dreamsicle salad.”
The high school also commented on what their favorite memory from Thanksgiving was.
Christina Menke, the high school biology teacher, stated, “When I was a kid, my dad, brother, and sister would spend the whole day untangling lights and standing out in the cold decorating the house. My mom wouldn't want us in the house underfoot while she was cooking. While it was mostly freezing, it was also a lot of fun. Once everything was done, we would come in and play board games.”
Keifer Paterson, a freshman, said, “Stealing my cousin’s picture and making her believe that grandma had only my picture hanging up.”
McKenzie Pecaut, a senior, expressed that, “My football team won two years in a row.”
Mrs. Melissa Bruckerhoff replied with, “When I was little, we would go to my Grandma and Grandpa Robnett's house. We would play football in the side yard, skip rocks in the creek, climb trees and play with the cats/dogs. We would also play pool or ping pong in the basement. The whole family would be there and it was so much fun playing with them. One of my favorite memories is also the year my mom bought ‘precooked’ turkeys and gave them to my dad to deep fry. She failed to mention that they were precooked! He deep-fried them as if they were raw and when we started to eat, it was like the scene from National Lampoon’s! It was dry, overcooked, chewy, and awful! Although it didn't explode like in the movie.”
More than likely you will help prepare a dish for your families for Thanksgiving since it takes more than one person to make all of the Thanksgiving food for many people. When asked what dishes they help prepare and bring, Haleigh Nicholas, a junior, said, “I love making the pumpkin pie.”
Keerstin Mason, a senior, commented: “My great grandma's secret homemade dressing.”
Peers and teachers were also asked what their top three favorite dishes are:
Jessica Underwood, a freshman, said, “Coleslaw, ham, and mac and cheese.”
Mrs. Kelsey McCroskey, a high school English teacher, commented: “It's got to be mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and stuffing. No contest.”
Nothing is complete for students without a fall break added in. When questioned New Haven High commented about their fall break plans.
Lydia Otten, a senior, voiced: “[In the] past couple years, the day after Thanksgiving we make a trip up to Minnesota and get a Christmas tree. You’re probably thinking that is crazy. Well, my great uncle and great aunt have a cut-yourself Christmas Tree farm, and we get one for ourselves and one for my grandma since it is her brother and sister-in-law's tree farm. We also do this all in one day!”
Mrs. Mandy Koch stated, “Our family loves to attend the Christmas Parade of Lights in Washington on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It is also tradition to start putting up Christmas decorations the weekend following Thanksgiving.”
Happy Thanksgiving, New Haven!