Thursday, November 16, 2017

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE THANKFUL

By CLAUDIAN FRANCIS

Thanksgiving is a joyous and festive time for families around the world.  In fact, Thanksgiving is the most celebrated holiday in the United States.  Whether kindly taking the time to volunteer at a food pantry, hosting a celebration with distant relatives, or simply enjoying an intimate dinner with close family and friends, this heartwarming holiday truly embodies giving thanks and spending quality time with loved ones.  

Thanksgiving traces its roots all the way back to  November of 1621.  Since then, the story of the first Thanksgiving has greatly contributed to the holiday’s meaning that has been carried out from generation to generation.   In today’s day and age, families everywhere contribute to the holiday and traditional ideals while adding some traditions of their own.

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, which means colder weather, spending quality time with loved ones and enjoying the wide-range of festivities that the season holds.  One of the most popular festivities has to be the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  According to Variety Magazine, 4.65 million people on average lined the streets of Manhattan to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2016.  

FRANCIS FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY
Another extremely popular tradition families participate in all over the country is watching football.  Over 35 million viewers tuned in last Thanksgiving to watch the televised games.  In addition to football,  the television viewership of the beloved “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” reached close to a million views.  

However, Thanksgiving is not just about the parades, football and Charlie Brown.  Families across the Washingtonville community celebrate the holiday in different ways as well.  In the same light, students in the high school have a variety of different views on what Thanksgiving truly means to them and what they are thankful for.

WHS senior, Kaite Wilson, expressed that the spirit of Thanksgiving “means being around family and close friends, remembering all that you have to be thankful for, and giving back to the community and people less fortunate.”  Is there a better way to celebrate the spirit of giving than being a volunteer for those in need?  It is so important to know that not everyone can afford a Thanksgiving feast with their families.

Another WHS student, Emily Solorzano,  expressed, “Thanksgiving, to me, means being around people I care about and I’m so grateful that I have such a supportive family and friends around me.”

Senior, Ryan Waaland, also expressed his excitement for Thanksgiving.  He remarked, “When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of being around family that you don’t get to see as often. I have family in California so it means a lot when I get to see them over the holiday season.”

Overall, Thanksgiving is a holiday that encompasses the spirit of giving, encourages gratitude, and revolves around family and friends.  No matter where in the world, Thanksgiving has a beautiful meaning that ought to be celebrated in every way.  So, when watching the football game this year or tuning into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, remember that Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness, gratitude, and love.  





No comments:

Post a Comment