On Nov. 22, friends and families across the country will be celebrating the fun and food filled holiday of Thanksgiving. Originating as a harvest festival in 17th century America, Thanksgiving has been celebrated for hundreds of years.

Ventura High School teacher Jared McEntyre explained that as a child,“we would have ice cream jello, which was very unique… We don’t do that anymore.” McEntyre went on to comment that although some family traditions have changed, he still loves spending time with his friends and family during the Thanksgiving holiday. Similarly, sophomore Lizbeth Ramirez greatly enjoys seeing her extended family: “We aren’t always very close and we live in different places, but Thanksgiving unites us.”

In contrast, for some VHS students’ Thanksgiving is much more simple, and not as important as other holidays. Junior Dakota Fasthorse, when interviewed about the holiday, explained that Thanksgiving simply means, “No school,” a greatly liked feature of Thanksgiving among many students of Ventura High School. Junior Michael Zapata also commented on Thanksgiving’s simplicity, stating that  “mashed potatoes are where it’s at.”

The meaning of Thanksgiving varies from person to person. Whether it is family that is being celebrated, the food, or simply the lack of school, in the end, Thanksgiving is about taking the time to think about what one is grateful for, and celebrate community.