For the last week of November, MCHS students had no school because of Thanksgiving break. Therefore, students got to participate in traditional and personal activities that included relaxation and celebration. Some will gather their families for traditional Thanksgiving meals like turkey, macaroni, and casserole. For some, the holiday week is a chance to shop during Black Friday sales or watch football games. Others used the break to reflect, recharge, or reconnect with loved ones, making Thanksgiving a uniquely versatile holiday that blends cultural customs with individual traditions.

Sophomore Erin Arizmendi, reflected on last year’s holiday memories and dishes while sharing her plans for this year’s break.

“We usually make a small turkey and then a ham with mashed potatoes and gravy, and, you know, other traditional food,” Arizmendi said.

Turkey and mashed potatoes are very popular dishes to make during Thanksgiving. Arizmendi believes that Thanksgiving isn’t only about eating holiday dishes, but also about cherishing memories like her personal favorite when she made them.

“Last year I cooked two turkeys and a ham and mac and cheese and green bean casserole, which is really white; I also made, like, three batches of mashed potatoes,” Arizmendi said.

Arizmendi reflected on her Thanksgiving meals with fondness, cherishing the memories they brought. Looking ahead, she shared her plans for the break, which included catching up on sleep and spending time with her friends and boyfriend. These plans reflect her goal to relax and spend time with loved ones. After Thanksgiving break, we conducted a follow-up interview.

“I feel like I finally got to, like, have a good Thanksgiving that was, like, super chill with, like, not many people, because the past years we’ve had, like, really big Thanksgiving,” Arizmendi said.

From enjoying the food to following through with her holiday plans, Arizmendi found this Thanksgiving to be a refreshing change of pace—though she admits she could have used a bit more sleep to fully regain her energy.

“My body’s kind of been, like, made to wake up at like, seven o’clock in the morning. As much as I wanted to sleep in I physically couldn’t,” Arizmendi said.

Not only did she enjoy the relaxed celebration and create lasting memories, but Arizmendi also took the opportunity to prepare several dishes.

“I made the turkey. I made mashed potatoes. I also made the green bean casserole, the cornbread and two casseroles,” Arizmendi said.

Roasted turkey, laughter, football games, and more, fill homes during Thanksgiving break. Many people from different backgrounds integrate their culture to create a unique experience for the break.

Vietnamese senior Bryant Tran shares an example of this.
“I was thinking about holding a little pho party for the homies around Thanksgiving break. I know a lot of people missed it the first time, so I have to do it again,” Tran said.
Tran and other students incorporate their cultural background into their Thanksgiving celebrations, while the holiday is traditionally American.
“For Vietnamese, there isn’t much tradition on Thanksgiving day, but I would say on the family side we do celebrate it and buy Thanksgiving food and all that and be thankful around dinner time,” Tran said.
For those who don’t focus on traditional Thanksgiving celebrations, many choose to relax and enjoy their hobbies.
“I’m hopping on the PC bro and, like, at least resting 12 hours every day,” Tran said.
Students from MCHS enjoy the week-long break, whether it’s enjoying the food or taking time to relax. Popular pastimes include Black Friday shopping, watching football, and getting some rest.
Some take advantage of the weekend-long break to go out and rest like senior Colin Giacomo,.
“Well the first thing I did was come back from Chicago, but then I got sick,” Giacomo said.
Unfortunate events, such as Giacomo’s illness, disrupted Thanksgiving plans. When it comes to favorite foods, everyone has that one dish they enjoy. For some, choosing a favorite isn’t simple due to the many options available.
“One of my favourite foods is, uh, it is hard to decide, but I really enjoy red wine brisket,” Giacomo said.Whether it was enjoying brisket, pho, or turkey, Giacomo and many other MCHS students spend their Thanksgiving creating cherished memories with family and friends.