Every year on the fourth Thursday of November, families gather to celebrate the cherished holiday known as Thanksgiving. What originally started as a holiday, based on the pilgrims and the Native Americans, has grown far beyond its origin, with many creating their own distinctive traditions. At Miami Palmetto Senior High, students share their own unique tales and memories on what the cherished holiday looks like in their eyes.
Many Panthers often grow up within a dual culture, balancing their life in the United States with traditions from their other cultures. This typically leads to incorporating cultural foods into their classic turkey dinner.
“We always incorporate our own Cuban traditions into our Thanksgiving dinner, too. We include yuca and congri as a side dish, it’s a mix of rice and beans,” junior Alessandra Rodriguez said.
Incorporating one’s heritage into the dishes on the table brings a personal feeling to the day, making the holidays taste more like home.
While the Thanksgiving dinner table is one of the most important places to make memories, not all traditions come from the kitchen; some come from the field. A family football game is another beloved tradition. Before dinner, families compete and bond with each other. This creates moments that spark memorable conversations before the feast.
“Every year, my family and I play a game of football before dinner. We split into two different teams. Whoever wins gets an extra slice of pie after dinner,” junior Lia Michael said
Many students at MPSH also travel during the break. For many Panthers, Thanksgiving break is not complete without the annual long drives or flights to reunite with family members from all over the world. The buildup and excitement make the day even more meaningful, and finally getting to hug one’s family and reminisce with loved ones is a moment that feels truly special.
“Every year, my family and I travel to Virginia to visit my cousins. It’s honestly my favorite part of the break, getting to see them is always exciting,” junior Sienna Martinez said.
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday built on the classic turkey and mashed potato meal; it is a day where families from all cultures and parts of the country can come together and celebrate one another. In the end, it is the small celebrations, the ones wrapped in love and homemade traditions, that reflect what truly matters.
