For many Simpson students, Thanksgiving means packing up their cars or purchasing plane tickets and traveling home. Between international students experiencing their first Thanksgiving, friends opening their homes to others and students staying on campus, this holiday creates a number of stories which highlight both solitude and community.
For international student Michael Leeburn, the holiday is brand new. Leeburn is from Ireland and has never experienced Thanksgiving; he said he compares it to Christmas, as families come together for food and celebrations. Leeburn is heading to Nebraska to spend the holiday with his friend’s family. When asked about what he felt thankful for, Leeburn said people.
“Everyone here has been really kind, welcoming, and friendly,” he said.
Meanwhile, first-year Olivia Furlong said she had no Thanksgiving break plans. Furlong is from California, which makes going home difficult and costly. She said her holiday will consist of catching up on homework and streaming shows in her dorm.
Students staying on campus can receive meals from Tyler’s Grill in the Kent Campus Center from noon to 1 p.m. and use their flex, cash or cards. On Thanksgiving, at Holy Grounds in Smith Chapel, there will be a free meal served by faculty and staff at 1 p.m..
Staying on campus is not always easy; although students have food choices, there have been anonymous complaints about limited options during the week when regular dining spots are closed. In addition to concerns about campus dining over the break, students have also raised issues about a lack of campus activities. From Wednesday to Sunday, very few activities are organized or advertised for students to participate in.
Junior and wrestler Kiara Dixon is another student staying on campus, and has plans to attend a unique “family” gathering. Her coach invites all remaining athletes to meet on Wednesday at his house to eat and celebrate the holiday. Dixon has been at his house for Thanksgiving all three years and loves the food.
“I was worried that the turkey he made was going to be super dry. Happy to say it’s the best food I’ve had at Thanksgiving and no dry turkey,” she said.
Dixon is extremely grateful for her coach providing her and her teammates with a place to celebrate Thanksgiving.
“I like that I have somewhere to go for the holiday because I can’t go home. It’s nice that I can still celebrate Thanksgiving even if it’s not with family at home,” she said.
Whether it is a first taste of yams, a quiet day in the dorms or laughter about the coach’s cooking, Simpson students’ Thanksgiving plans show the holiday’s diversity. At Simpson, students have plenty of opportunities to celebrate; with family, friends, teammates or faculty.
