The Telescope

Issue Date: 11/16/09

Students celebrate in non-traditional ways

By Jana Rowland

Media Credit: Zach Marcus

Tradition once dictated that every year families and friends come together to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the trappings usually reserved for a Hallmark card, but these days students at Palomar are bucking traditions in favor of more memorable Thanksgiving practices.
Student Justin Calibuyot said that when it comes to Thanksgiving traditions, "Filipinos like to eat pancit as it is a celebratory dish that provokes a longer and healthier life."
Food is arguably the most important part of any Thanksgiving celebration. There's nothing more iconic than turkey with all of the fixings and a side of mashed potatoes.
But for sophomore Joscelyn Bowley, her Thanksgiving holidays took on a more Latin flair when her uncle decided to switch up the menu by making it a Mexican-themed Thanksgiving.
They had burritos, tacos, chips and salsa. No cranberry sauce or gravy anywhere to be found.
For vegetarian Courtney Purvis, the most important part of the meal is her biggest taboo.
"Anytime I smell turkey baking in the oven, I get out of my house," Purvis said.
Palomar sophomore Karisa Cunningham said she celebrates the holiday like most Americans with her family around the table, drinks being poured, and turkey being served.
The tradition that she became accustomed to was the day after Thanksgiving, her family would open their Christmas tree farm in Vista to the public.
For some, Thanksgiving is still simply an opportunity to give thanks.
For the past 50 years, Ashley Reichel's family has been doing this by joining their family and another's together in a big circle, holding hands, going around and saying what everyone is thankful for.

If getting together in a circle with family is not enough, how about playing a game of football?

For Rick Torres, Thanksgiving always has a walk of shame involved. He and some people from his hometown get together and play a game of touch football at a park in Valencia, Calif.

After the game is over, the losers have to take off their shoes and walk almost a mile home, barefoot, while the winners hold their shoes hostage.

From having numerous choices of wonderful foods to eat, to playing football at a park; with all these traditions from different families, ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles; who knows? Maybe you will find a new tradition to celebrate with your family this Thanksgiving.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools