Students and staff from Arlington High School keep Thanksgiving traditions alive while remembering the true importance behind the holiday. 

While some students may gather to eat feasts, or simply stay home from school, Thanksgiving seems to have a bigger meaning. The significance of the holiday is the theme of gratitude, and thankfulness. Every single person has a different way of showing this, and celebrating their appreciation. At Arlington High School, people describe what’s most important to them.  

“I’m thankful for education, my family,” Lily Garrison (26’) said. “My grandma had a third grade graduation. So I’m thankful that she came to America so I could further my education more than she did.”

Others around the school have their own favorite things to do for the holiday. Forgetting about past stresses, Thanksgiving is seen by some as a day to relax and remember what is most important to you.

“The most important thing about the holiday is being together as a family, being thankful that we have the time to be together as family,” Said Tina Neilson, a Health teacher at AHS. “I’m most grateful for my kids, my husband.”

Neilson uses another strategy to show her appreciation, and expresses her love in actions. She advises people on how to show gratitude. 

“By stopping and being kind with other people. For instance, if somebody’s arms are full, ask if you can help them get a door for somebody,” Neilson said. “Don’t step over garbage, pick a piece of garbage up. It’s being grateful for all the things that we have around us from people to the environment.”

Exchange students are also expressing gratitude to have the opportunity to be at Arlington High School. Junior, Chi Nguyen, a Vietnamese exchange student gives his advice on thankfulness.

“Like, always smile, because I do it every day and try to smile every day,” Nguyen said. “Whenever I get a challenge or problem in my life, smiling is pretty good for me, and it’s working.”