While some celebrate with just a Thanksgiving meal, other students celebrate by trying new food, playing football or running the Turkey Trot.

“Every year my family and I choose a different culture’s food to eat,” says Sarah Williams, senior, who is African American. “Although that’s the main food, we still indulge in some of our favorite typical Thanksgiving foods like greens or stuffing. And you gotta have the mac and cheese.”

Having food from different cultures has reminded Sarah that, as she says, “cultures can have different eating habits and staples.” She adds, “People get really sensitive to the idea that certain cultures eat certain foods because they feel they are stereotyping everyone.”

When someone says Thanksgiving, students think of turkey and food. Thanksgiving is also time for families to get exercise in a way without feeling forced.

“On Thanksgiving morning, we run a 10K Turkey Trot together in the downtown Cincinnati area,” says Rowan Henke, sophomore. “We also wear turkey hats while we run.”

Students often get together for a pick-up game of football.

“A fun thing that me and friends do is have a south vs. north side of Evanston Thanksgiving football game,” says Miles Porter, senior.

“Every year on Thanksgiving my family gets together with a couple of other families from the neighborhood to participate in the Turkey Bowl. It’s a football game at Willard Elementary School and every year the same families come to participate,” explains Ella Fies, senior.

Spending time with the ones you love is a great way to bond. During the holiday season, students should go with friends and family to play games or watch movies.

“We find different ways to have fun,” says Jonathan Martinez, senior. He adds, “We usually play games and watch movies or talk about how all the kids are doing in school.”

“After every Thanksgiving meal, we sit down and watch football whether it is the bears or not,” states Chris Davis, senior.

While Thanksgiving is a yearly holiday where people are reminded what to be thankful for, students should incorporate that idea as a regular basis.

“Thanksgiving is a time to get with the family and really appreciate everything that each member has accomplished,” explain Jocelyn Morales, senior. “Everyone is always open to listening.”

The ways we celebrate can vary in our eating, the activities we do or with the people that we celebrate with. While most people spend this time with their family, the most important thing to remember is to be thankful.