Each year, Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. Traditions are a big part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and every family has their own way of celebrating.

Every Thanksgiving, geometry teacher Mr. Manuel Terzoli joins over thirty members of his large, Italian family to celebrate the American holiday. According to Mr. Terzoli, Thanksgiving is hosted every year by his mother, who makes the main dinner dishes such as the turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Mr. Terzoli and his siblings are each assigned to bring another food item to the family feast. Mrs. Terzoli usually makes the dessert: pumpkin or raspberry cheesecake. At 2 p.m., about the time Italians normally eat the largest meal of the day, the Thanksgiving meal begins.

For most, Thanksgiving is not just about the food but is also about spending time together, catching up and enjoying one another’s company. The Thanksgiving holiday is a reminder to give thanks for family, friends, education and the necessities of life such as water, food, and shelter.

AP Biology teacher Mrs. Colleen Krivacek celebrates Thanksgiving a little differently than Mr. Terzoli. Mrs. Krivacek’s children cook most of the Thanksgiving meal each year. Mrs. Krivacek adds, “I grew up watching my mother cooking, so having my children help me cook is great. My daughter and son started cooking as soon as they could hold a utensil.” Most importantly, however, Mrs. Krivacek, her husband, and her children remember to give back during the Thanksgiving season. Mrs. Krivacek said, “Each year, we try to put together a basket to give to the local food bank or the homeless shelter. I love community service and giving back to the community. I always tell my kids how lucky they are.”

Both the Terzolis and Krivaceks participate in the annual Father Joe’s Thanksgiving 5k run. The proceeds of the run all go to St. Vincent de Paul and Father Joe’s Village in San Diego. Not only does the run benefit those less fortunate, but it is also a way of getting some exercise in before the heavy Thanksgiving meal.

Although not all families travel during the Thanksgiving break, Mrs. Krivacek and her family plan on visiting their family for Thanksgiving this year in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Staying at home in San Diego, where most of the family lives, is the Terzolis’ way of spending their Thanksgiving.

Each family has their own way of celebrating Thanksgiving. But most families share one thing in common:  celebrating the Thanksgiving meal together.