Morgan Sasser–Staff Writer
With the third Thursday of November comes a few extra days off of school for Thanksgiving break. Thanksgiving is only a national holiday in America. Even so, families who come to this country join in on the festivities, and for them the holiday has become a time for family and traditions whether or not there is turkey at dinner.
Senior Cherubil and sophomore Fre Bechter moved to Virginia from Germany just over two years ago. Even though there is not a holiday like Thanksgiving in Germany, the Bechters have had Thanksgiving every year that they have lived here. “We get invited to see other people, we don’t celebrate it by ourselves,” said Fre. This year they will be spending Thanksgiving in Bethany Beach with family friends, and are going to have a traditional meal complete with turkey and stuffing.
Sophomore Neil Patil’s family observes Thanksgiving, but does not forget their Indian heritage on this American holiday. It is still a day of family, and Neil’s sister and uncle are coming to visit his family this year. “My mom just makes a lot of Indian food instead of turkey,” said Neil.
For Aylaa (grade 12), Haidar (11), and Shams (10) Haidari, whose parents are from Iraq, Thanksgiving is family time, minus the home-cooking. Each year instead of preparing a big meal at home, the family goes to an Italian restaurant. “Thanksgiving is the day my mom can relax,” said Aylaa. “It’s like a break for her since she cooks five times a week.”
Thanksgiving is a time for family traditions and good food, and even this special “American” holiday is embraced here by people from all over the world.