By: Claire Cutting

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek schools are back in session after being on Thanksgiving break from November 23 to December 1. Thanksgiving is a holiday focused on food and family, but there are many traditions and memories that every individual family makes.

The students at Bellbrook High School reflected on their favorite part of the break. “Honestly, I just loved sleeping in every day,” senior Samantha Schulz said.

Junior Luke Henley enjoys the cooking of the Thanksgiving dinner. “The best part of my break was bonding with my family and friends making the food,” Henley said. “I love being in the kitchen cooking, and then eating what I made.” 

While Thanksgiving classics include turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie, there are many other non-traditional foods families put on their table. Senior Madi Ruble talked about her family’s favorite non-traditional dish. “We make homemade pumpkin rolls and corn fritters for Thanksgiving,” Ruble said. “That was definitely the best food I had over my break.”

Some, like senior Kacy Solomon, enjoy the classic dish of pumpkin pie for a non-traditional reason. “Honestly, it’s because orange is my favorite color, and pumpkin pie is orange,” Solomon said.

Gabi Ruble, a senior at BHS, enjoyed seeing her family who lives hours away from her. “I loved seeing my cousins because I don’t get to see them often, so it’s always nice to catch up and hang out,” Ruble said.

Every family has different traditions, such as watching movies, making food, or even volunteering. “My favorite tradition is watching Christmas movies after Thanksgiving dinner,” Gabi Ruble said. “We always watch Home Alone and Home Alone 2 because they’re just classics.”

Senior Mercy Oyebanjo also has a classic she watches on TV. “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is always a fun family tradition,” Oyebanjo said. “We love seeing all of the floats, balloons, and performers.”

While everyone had different highlights from their break, one senior summed it all up. “Thanksgiving break was amazing because I got to see family and make memories over the food,” Frantz said. “It warms my heart with joy when I think about all that I have to be thankful for.”