Ava Simunovic ’20 and Julia Lombardo ’20

Thanksgiving celebrations are just around the corner. This historical holiday welcomes forced conversations and inevitable hugs and kisses from that uncle that never washes his clothes. It’s a time when many pay thanks to the loved ones around them and indulge before their ever waiting “diet” begins. But most importantly, this time gives way to appreciating their surroundings and family bonding.

To most American families, Thanksgiving is a time for family, turkey, football and giving thanks, but Mia Gonzalez ’20 has a more unconventional celebration.

“Being 50 percent Hispanic, my family has always worked to incorporate the Spanish aspect of our lives within our culture as American citizens,” Gonzalez said.

The Gonzalez’s replace mashed potatoes on their dinner table with manchego cheese, and instead of every family’s annual football game, they have a fútbol game.

“The game gets really intense,” Gonzalez said. “My dad splits us all up on different teams, and we play small sided games. Considering that we are all Spanish and soccer obsessed, you can imagine the atmosphere.”

Vignesh Kareddy ’20 also celebrates Thanksgiving with a twist. His family incorporates Indian traditions.

“During Thanksgiving, my family eats an Indian dish called Biryani,” Kareddy said. “It is a spicy rice with chicken that is marinated in a mixture of different spices.”

Kareddy explains that he and his family value their Indian heritage, and eating this meal on such a special holiday makes them feel more connected to their roots.

Other students tend to spend this uniquely American holiday traveling. Mathilda Arvidsson ’18, for one, said Thanksgiving is simply just a time to vacation with her family. “We either go somewhere in America, or we go back to Sweden, which we have done multiple times,” Arvidsson said.

The Staples Community embodies a wide range of Thanksgiving celebrations. Each tradition, meal or activity that students have is special to their families and themselves specifically.
“I love the fact that my Thanksgiving is unique to my family and I,” Gonzalez said. “It makes it all the more sentimental to my family’s history.”