It’s that time of the year again. The ephemeral Halloween buzz has faded away, and turkey fever is ready to sweep the nation. People across the United States are assembling from long distances to cherish the value of family.

Age and location are irrelevant on Thanksgiving, for the century-plus old holiday is centered around family, food and fun for all. Thanksgiving is an integral part of the SDHS community, and students and teachers alike share traditions that make the holiday special.

Junior Clayton Arnold and college counselor Mr. Markway are familiar with atypical foods on Thanksgiving.

“My mom gets these noodles every Thanksgiving and she fries them… it may not be turkey, and it may sound weird, but they are so good,” said Arnold.

“We ate raccoon one year and now ‘coon has become part of our Thanksgiving tradition,” said Markway.

Traveling long distances for Thanksgiving also seems to be a recurring theme in the school community.

“My family comes in from multiple states and it’s an awesome time with everyone together. We typically have over 50 cousins at one dinner,” said senior Keenan Bross.

“My sister comes in from California. I’m usually just eating food,” said senior Joey Kuhn.

And then again, some people just like to keep traditions simple, a common factor for many SDHS students and teachers.

“We have Thanksgiving on Friday so all the married people could go to other’s houses on Thanksgiving,” said Mrs. Murphy.

“This year we hope to start a new tradition: a grandchild,” said Mrs. Sally Garrett.

“We host Thanksgiving at our neighborhood clubhouse every year,” said senior Anna Sprehe.

Although traditions, cuisines and values may differ, Thanksgiving will always be a time that connects family and friends. Family is the thread linking all of these stories together. With less than a week until Thanksgiving, the question is: What will your tradition be?