Senior Carson Zerwekh has not missed a Turkey Trot since she was ten years old. She spends the rest of Thanksgiving day watching the TiVo’d Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the rest of her family that come to visit from California. They eat Carson’s uncle’s hand-fried turkey and stuffing while enjoying each other’s rare company.
“Thanksgiving is one of the few times my entire family from both sides can sit down together, pray and enjoy a meal. It’s nothing special or unique, but I love the tradition nevertheless,” Zerwekh said.
Other unique, time-honored customs take place around the holidays for many Richardson students and faculty members. Senior Michael Zeringue spent his Thanksgiving holiday in Louisiana with his extended family.
“My cajun grandmother always makes alligator gumbo and swamp rabbit stew, along with common Thanksgiving dishes,” Zeringue said. “Turkey is for the wimps.”
Pre-Calculus teacher Kit Darling enjoyed watching her parents’ yearly bicker over who makes the stuffing.
“It happens every single year, so they usually have to trade off. They take it seriously, but the rest of us laugh it off and watch football,” Darling said.
Many students don’t leave the meal preparation solely to their parents and relatives. Junior Gabrielle Guerrero enjoys giving a helping hand in the kitchen.
“I make a special dish with my family called ‘calado de frijoles’ which consists of rice, beans, onions and bacon bits. We also enjoy turkey and pecan pie while at the same time appreciating our Guatemalan roots,” Guerrero said.