Many choose to fix their eyes on traditions for international holidays such as Christmas, Chanukah and Valentines Day. However, with the American melting pot in consideration, what about Thanksgiving? The American holiday focused on giving thanks does not solely follow typical U.S. traditions in countries where Spanish is a dominant language. Let’s take a look at what some students from SPFHS celebrated Thanksgiving this year.
“I ate turkey, empanadas, rice with beans and this Spanish dish [that] my grandma made called Pernil,” freshman Vanessa Rosario told The Fanscotian.“The parents play Pokeno, a [mashup] of poker and bingo, while the [cousins] drive around [locally as a form of bonding].”
Rosario celebrated a Dominican Thanksgiving at her grandmother’s house in town with her extended family, but other students traveled farther distances.
“I traveled to Nicaragua, which is where both [of] my parents were born,” junior Mari Gonzalez said. “I ate traditional foods such as nacatamales, quesillos, churrascos and fritangas.”
Thanksgiving isn’t a Nicaraguan holiday, but Gonzalez’s family still voiced what they were grateful for to one another at the dinner table. She also had the chance to spend time with her great aunt who lives in Nicaragua.
“I usually do celebrate Thanksgiving [in America],” Gonzalez said. “[We eat] traditional Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian, Colombian, or Mexican dishes.”
Junior Vania Gonzalez tried a new Thanksgiving tradition this year. She hosted both sides of her families on the same night.
“We invited [lots] of our cousins [living in] different states and all brought food to share” Gonzalez said. “I ate traditional Hispanic foods such as rice with beans, mole, tortillas, macaroni, pozole, pizza and mashed potatoes.”
While families may have different traditions, all seem to prioritize bonding on this holiday.
“I eat traditional American dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, bread and Iced tea, as it’s a staple beverage for my family,” junior Claire Swenson said. “But this year, I am [trying] a Friendsgiving for the first time!”
