Thankful Thoughts

The Sarasota Observer caught up with second-graders at Ashton Elementary School to find out what they’re most thankful for, why we celebrate Thanksgiving and what their favorite turkey-day foods are.

Graycen Miller
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
“Turkey! I saw it in the fridge already, and it’s really big.”

What are you most thankful for?
“I’m thankful for my family and for the whole world.”

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
“We celebrate for the Pilgrims and Indians, because they helped save Thanksgiving. There was an Indian named Squanto who helped the pilgrims.”

Jasmine Heinlein
What are you most thankful for?
“I’m thankful for my two bunnies. I call one of them Snowflake, but my brothers call her Snowball. I call the boy Thumper, but my brothers call him Shadow.”

Would you rather be a Pilgrim or an Indian?
“I would rather be an Indian because I was already a Pilgrim in kindergarten.”

Blake Edwards
When was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?
“A long time ago. I think it was in 1994.”

What did they eat at the first Thanksgiving?
“Turkey, pumpkin pie and wild deer.”

Would you rather be a Pilgrim or an Indian?
“An Indian. I would mostly like to go hunting and eat wild animals.”

Emma Mast
What are you most thankful for?
“My family and my teacher.”

Would you rather be a Pilgrim or an Indian?
“I would rather be a Pilgrim because they get to discover new places. Whenever I see Amish people, I think of Pilgrims because they sort of dress the same.”

Ben Nahon
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
“To have thanks and tell about the things that we were good about doing and the things we weren’t good about doing.”

What are you most thankful for?
“My family and water. The human body is 90% water.”

What did they eat at the first Thanksgiving?
“They had berries, corn and vegetables, but no turkey. They probably ate venison.”

Would you rather be a Pilgrim or an Indian?
“I would rather be an Indian because they have more strength and are more flexible. They’ve been living on the land longer and they know how to catch a fish with their teeth, like I do.”

Jacob Petitta
What are you most thankful for?
“My family, friends and all the people I love.”

What was the first Thanksgiving like?
“They had a great feast. It lasted three days, and on the third day they ate turkey.”

Would you rather be a Pilgrim or an Indian?
“I would rather be an Indian because I love nature. I’ve even seen dolphins.”

Skylar Dungan
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
“To give thanks to the people who were helpful to make this holiday.”

What part of Thanksgiving are you most excited about?
“I’m excited for the feast my family is going to have.”

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
“I haven’t tried pumpkin pie yet, but think I’m going to try it this year. I think I might like it.”

Davika Desai
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
“Because one Indian tribe helped the pilgrims plant stuff to make food.”

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
“I like desserts.”

What are you most thankful for?
“My teacher and my family. They love me and keep me safe.”

Contact Maria Amodio at [email protected].