Thanksgiving is an annual holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November. The day is used to celebrate the blessings received in the past year. It is modeled after the first harvest in 1621 shared between the English colonists of Plymouth and the Native American people. The holiday is a time for friends and family to gather and be thankful for the year. Lake Ridge faculty can be overwhelmed with stress to grade papers, complete paperwork, control their students, and ensure their students are receiving the necessary material for the course. The faculty uses the week long break to destress and remember all the things they are thankful for.

There are many things to be thankful for. Spanish teacher, Erica Williams, is grateful for having a roof over her head and the opportunity to provide for her family.

“There are so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for the small things that we tend to take advantage of. I am thankful for good health. I know sometimes we complain about wanting a bigger house, but I am thankful for having a house. I think sometimes we complain about having to work, but I am thankful for having a job, so I can provide for my family. I’m thankful for my family and friends. Most importantly, I’m thankful that I recognize where my blessings are and where they come from,” said Williams.

Williams’ family lives in Marshall, Texas and, due to the distance, isn’t able to visit them as frequently as she might like. Because of this, Williams is overjoyed to see her parents and be able to get away from the stress that comes with being a teacher.

“I am most excited to go home and see my family because I don’t get to see them but a couple of times a year and just having a little break to destress,” Williams said.

Another thing to be thankful for is family. Pre-AP Chemistry teacher, Katrina Covington, is thankful for her family and friends. Additionally, she is thankful for the love and support her loved ones provide her.

“I am thankful for my friends and family because we are in good health. I’m thankful for my family because they are loving and supportive. Also, I’m thankful for my fantastic job where I get to mentor and teach science to students and. Hopefully, I can make a difference in their lives, so that they remember me later in their lives and remember how much I cared for them and how much I loved them. I’m just very thankful that I get to do that,” said Covington.

Sometimes, the year can present one with hardships and struggles they must overcome. However, despite the obstacles, one can still find things to be grateful for. Social Studies Department head and AP World History teacher, Rena Long, has had a difficult year with her husband being treated for cancer. Long is grateful for her support system. And like any teacher, she finds her day to day life exhausting. She admits that she is most excited to use the break as a way to catch up on some much needed rest.

“I am thankful for all of my friends that support me. I’m also thankful for the comfort my family provides me. I am most excited, though for sleep. More importantly, I’m excited to catch up on sleep,” Long said.

Thanksgiving is a day of celebration of friends and family. It is a day to count the blessings in life and remember all the good things. Despite whatever bad hardships the year brought, Thanksgiving is a time to leave all struggles behind, and spend quality time with friends and family.