By: David Rosa Da Costa

Mt. Hebron celebrates the untraditional traditions that fill the community and embarks on the journey of the different cultural celebrations during Thanksgiving break. 

Traditions are especially evident in the staff and students of Mt. Hebron. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights. 

“In the past, we all went to my aunt and uncle’s house, and I would see all my cousins; I have a big family. It would be fun. We would eat dinner, watch football, and then pull out all the Black Friday ads out of all the newspapers, and all the cousins would lay out on the floor together and find everything we would want for Christmas,” said Mt. Hebron math teacher Gregory Murach. 

“So we do a lot of games together. We play Pictionary. It’s so bad because we start yelling at each other, but it’s so much fun,” said Mt. Hebron senior Gia Kaur. 

“We typically go to our cousins’ house for Thanksgiving. When we are there, we play football or baseball before dinner in the backyard with the family. At the table, we go around, and everyone says one thing that they are thankful for,” said Mt. Hebron senior Austin Morse.

“Our family tradition includes going to upstate New York to visit family and spend time with them. We also have a Thanksgiving dinner with traditional Thanksgiving food,” said Mt. Hebron senior Landon Oudemans.

Thanksgiving can bring back memories or even history of the origin of our untraditional traditions. Bringing family and friends closer together during the holiday. 

Morse states, “I do not know the origin of those traditions as my family is English, and our culture does not have Thanksgiving, although we celebrate a similar holiday called Guy Fawkes Day.”

Mr. Murach states, “We are so grateful to be together. I don’t get to see my extended family all the time, and so by us just spending time together playing games or just having a big meal together and there 30 people  sitting around all the tables, that’s pretty new or unique for us to get everybody together.”

Thanksgiving traditions can be passed down from generation to generation, lasting decades and lifetimes, which gives us a sense of familiarity around what seems on the outside to be unique. 

Oudemans states, “Since as long as I can remember, these traditions have been the ones we participated in.” 

Morse stated, “I love both of the traditions. I feel that they bring people together while we normally don’t see each other. It’s a good icebreaker that makes Thanksgiving about more than just a plate of food.”

Celebrating those untraditional traditions makes the Mt. Hebron community so special and brings the community closer together. We can’t wait to see what the Mt. Hebron community has in store next year. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Mountain staff!