Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and reflection. For Olympia High School seniors Natalie Bowers and Jenna Rafeh, the holiday is all about enjoying traditions, both old and new.
“I’m excited to get with my friends and family and eat a lot of food,” said Bowers, though she has a very specific meal in mind. “My family makes a lot of different types of food, but I really only eat potatoes and green beans and that’s my whole meal every year.”
While turkey is now the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving feasts, it wasn’t always that way. The first Thanksgiving in 1621 likely featured wildfowl like ducks and geese, and turkey didn’t become the holiday staple until much later.
For Bowers, Thanksgiving also means spending time with loved ones. “It’s often Nutcracker time,” she explained, referring to her role in a local ballet. “So we stay close to home and go to our friend’s house, play board games and just hang out all day.”
Rafeh, who’s traveling to Irvine to visit family and friends, is also looking forward to a traditional spread. “Just the typical turkey, potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans,” she explained. But when it comes to filling her plate, Rafeh knows exactly what she wants. “I like to load up on mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, turkey is more of a once-a-year thing, but I’ll do without it,” she laughed.
Mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese are both longtime Thanksgiving favorites. Mashed potatoes have been a staple since European settlers introduced the potato to North America in the 18th century, while mac and cheese has its roots in early American colonial cooking, combining pasta with cheese.
For Rafeh’s family, the holiday includes a bit of friendly competition. She elaborated, “We normally play Monopoly on Thanksgiving.” Monopoly is a fun way to bond after the big meal, though sometimes it gets a little competitive!
Thanksgiving is more than just a meal for both seniors —it’s a time to reflect. “Thanksgiving is a time for me to think about everything and everyone I’m grateful for, and to spend time with the people I love most,” Bowers added.
Rafeh echoed that sentiment: “Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year, who I’ve met, and who I’m grateful for.” For both, the holiday is a chance to pause and appreciate the blessings in their lives.
As the holiday season approaches, these Olympia High seniors look forward to making more memories with family and friends. Whether it’s sharing a plate of favorite dishes, playing games, or simply being together, Thanksgiving remains a time to celebrate all the things that matter most.
