Turkey, ham, corn, mashed potatoes...sound familiar? It’s that time of year again—time for Thanksgiving. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans have changed and shifted, but people are still hopeful for a get-together with their friends and family.
“Every other year, me and my family would go up to Ellicott City, Maryland where my great aunt lives,” Junior Piper Saunders said. “As much of the family as possible would go up there for the break. On the off years of going to Maryland, we would go to my great grandmother and grandfather's retirement home and cook Thanksgiving there.”
Due to COVID restrictions, Saunders had to spend Thanksgiving in Boone for the first time. Senior Abigayle Jeter’s family faced similar challenges.
“Last year, during COVID, we went to the beach with just my immediate family and my great aunt,” Jeter said. “It was very different than normal because we had shrimp and grits instead of a normal Thanksgiving meal. We also weren't able to see a lot of my family due to COVID-related conflicts.”
Thanksgiving was definitely unusual last year. Some people, though, are hopeful that they will get a semi-normal celebration this year.
“Before COVID we would have Thanksgiving with family and friends,” said freshman Abigail Workman. “Last year we still did it with family and friends but were a little hesitant. And I think we’ll do that again this year, especially now that we’re all vaccinated.”
Sophomore Miles Page and his family are also trying to get together this year with the protection from the vaccine.
“Before COVID, I got together with my family and ate some food. We did not get together during COVID, but we still had a meal,” Page said. “This year, my whole family is vaccinated, some with boosters, so we're going to try and get everyone together again.”
Freshman Willa Rupp and her family didn’t get to do anything last year because they were in quarantine. This year, she’s looking forward to celebrating like normal.
“Last year, my family and I actually had to quarantine over Thanksgiving because my dad got COVID. It wasn't as much fun because we weren't able to see any of our other family and I couldn't see my cousins which is always a highlight of thanksgiving,” Rupp said. “We plan to celebrate this year, [though]! This year, we are going to celebrate as usual and I am definitely looking forward to it!”
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