After a semester spent in the dorms, second-year student Tyre’onna West is leaving for Thanksgiving to be with some of her family in Texas.
Thanksgiving is typically a time of uniting with the whole family and giving thanks for all the delicious foods and blessings one holds near and dear to their heart, but this year will look and feel different as there are fewer family gatherings due to COVID-19.
However, many students and their families aren’t letting the pandemic stop them from celebrating the holiday.
“Basically, I’m alone most of the time, so [being with family] will help with stress,” West said. She added that she has many relatives in Texas and this is a chance to see them.
To reduce the risk of contracting the virus, West and her family will be driving to Texas instead of taking a flight. She is also taking other precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping hand sanitizer nearby.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is encouraged that people celebrate this Thanksgiving with people they live with to reduce the spread of COVID.
Yamilet Rea, a third-year student, mentioned how this Thanksgiving is different from others.
People usually spend the holiday with extended family members or close friends, but “this time, it is just going to stay between my own little family,” Rea said.
Rea mentioned how she will catch up on school assignments during the break and have dinner with her family during the holiday. She added that her family members are still continuing their Thanksgiving tradition of going around the table and saying what they are thankful for.
Rea emphasized how she will try to spend the holiday having fun instead of worrying too much about school work. Maria Santana, a third-year student, is also looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday and taking a break from online classes.
Unsure if she will be working the holiday, Santana is still anticipating the festivities.
Santana said she hopes she’ll be home and her sister will come over as she has every Thanksgiving. Her mom will continue the family tradition by making her flan that their family loves.
“My mom makes us flan and me and my sisters are [always] fighting for it,” Santana said.
