As November rolls in, the countdown to turkey, stuffing, and family fun has begun! How will Darien High School students spend their five-day break? A survey of 160 students across all grade levels reveals the traditions, travels, and dishes that make Thanksgiving special for our school community.
About 88% of students plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, with the rest of the student body still undecided or opting out this holiday season.
The majority of these celebrators will partake in dinner, with a large disparity between that and that of lunch or breakfast.
But not everyone is celebrating in the traditional way; some are completing other activities with their families, like golfing or participating in a 5k run or a Turkey Trot.
Around 35% of students will hit the road for Thanksgiving, traveling to visit relatives across the country, in states like Florida, Illinois, and Maryland. A few lucky students are even heading abroad to celebrate in places like Paris, France; Prague, Czech Republic; and Sevilla, Spain.
However, Darien won’t be completely deserted, with 48% of the student body for sure staying right here in Darien to celebrate locally. Others will remain in-state, but travel to other towns like Greenwich or Westchester, while the remaining 17% are unsure of their holiday plans.
Of the students, about 42% are planning on or hoping to attend this year’s Turkey Bowl, supporting our football team against our biggest rival, New Canaan! Others, about 44%, are planning on relaxing on their couch and watching the Macy’s Day Parade with their family to commemorate the start of this year’s holiday season. Additionally, about 33% of students are planning on kicking off the Christmas countdown by getting a Christmas tree over this five-day break.
Speaking of this five-day break, the excitement of having Wednesday off this year is almost unanimous, with 99.4% of students expressing their enthusiasm for this extra day. Some are planning on relaxing and catching up on much-needed sleep, while others are taking the time to hang out with their family or visit college friends.
But the real star of the show? The food! From turkey and mashed potatoes to brisket and mac and cheese, students shared the dishes they are most excited for. Turkey took the top spot as a Thanksgiving staple, with mashed potatoes and stuffing coming in close behind, while pie and cupcakes took the crown for dessert.
From turkey dinners to turkey trots, and family dinners to football games, Darien High School students know how to make the most of their well-deserved break. With celebrations happening everywhere from family dining rooms to destinations around the globe, this Thanksgiving promises to be unforgettable, creating memories that will last long beyond the holiday break.
