Branson students, faculty and staff always appreciate a week free of work, and Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday for gratitude, community and good food, a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and close friends. 

Thanksgiving traditions vary based on background and culture. Dayze Chocron ‘28 has family in Israel who visit her family during Thanksgiving break. 

“My relatives fly in from Israel and my grandma makes challah and other traditional Israeli foods,” she said.

Since Chocron lived in France for the first five years of her life, she had never celebrated Thanksgiving. She started celebrating after moving to the United States. 

“When I started celebrating Thanksgiving, I started feeling more American,” Chocron said. 

Charlotte Gauck ’28 spoke about how Thanksgiving serves as an opportunity for reunions and family gatherings. 

“It’s a great way to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all in one place,” she said.

Marisha Rodriguez, Branson’s assistant director of admissions, has a traditional Thanksgiving with a smaller circle of family and classic foods. 

“We always cook macaroni n’ cheese, turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes,” she said.

Even though people celebrate Thanksgiving differently, the main purpose is to bring people together. 

Of course, gratitude is what gives the holiday its name. 

“Thanksgiving always reminds me we have so much to be grateful for,” Gauck said. 

One theme that often comes up among students and staffulty alike: a break from campus and classes and some quality time — and food — with family.