Thanksgiving is often deduced to a set of stereotypes: A home cooked turkey, visits to family and the Macy’s parade followed by the Football game on TV. However, while these stereotypes are widespread, the Oakdale Community is taking multiple approaches to the holiday.

There are a handful of students who plan to spend the holiday at their own home with family. Such as Sophomore Nicole Ogiba.  She describes how her family plans to stay home and enjoy a turkey, casserole, rice, chocolate cake and brownies. She also states that the holiday is a chance for her to take time to bake. Ogiba explains, “I get to make desserts because my mom doesn’t let me make my desserts any other time of the year.”

Although her mother unsuccessfully tries to get the family to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade each year, they have no other major plans for the day. 

Freshman Camilla Ayala enjoys the holiday as a whole. She claims, “I love Thanksgiving and it’s always a good opportunity to try different kinds of food, and just get to know my family a little bit better.”

Ayala plans to travel to Florida in order to visit family, whom she has not seen in over five years. Although she is excited, she expressed that she expects some chaos as well, since everyone will be staying in the same house.

While her family has no major traditions, they do have traditional food they eat. Such as, pork and pasteles. Out of the foods the family eats for the holiday, Ayala describes her favorite to be:  “any kind of stuffing. Stuffing  is really good either by itself or just with turkey.”

Although Thanksgiving is often overlooked by the winter holiday season, sometimes referred to as a small break in between other holiday celebrations, the Oakdale community is on their way to enjoy it this year. Whether they are traveling or staying home, this Thanksgiving is going to be a memorable holiday.