By Rebecca Parnass

Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate friends, family and the past year. People gather with their loved ones to eat, drink and express gratitude. Different families celebrate Thanksgiving in different ways, with dishes that represent their culture and traditions.

For sophomore animal sciences major Alyssa Dimitrievski, her family is composed of many cultures and traditions—all worth celebrating.

“My dad is Macedonian, so he didn’t learn about Thanksgiving until he started elementary school,” Dimitrievski said.

Dimitrievski’s mother grew up in Mississippi, and her southern upbringing heavily influenced the family’s Thanksgiving cuisine. Traditional dishes include sweet potato casserole, honey-glazed ham and corn casserole.

Greta Fritz, a senior special education major, said her hometown of Annapolis is present in the dishes her family makes on Thanksgiving. Annapolis is a waterfront destination that is famous for great seafood and fishing. Another Annapolis staple is Old Bay seasoning.

“My family puts Old Bay into everything, even on Thanksgiving,” Fritz said.

Fritz’s favorite dishes are turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy rolls and mashed potatoes—with Old Bay, of course. Fritz added that her family always includes a seafood dish on the table.

Ronnie Langerman went on exchange from University College London and had never experienced a Thanksgiving before.

“It’s interesting that America has a holiday where pie is a tradition,” Langerman said. “I’m officially a fan.”

Kate deBeers, a senior biology and psychology major, said her favorite part of Thanksgiving is not the food but the connection with relatives.

“My cousins and I prepare all the food the day before with our grandma, and the recipes have been passed down for years,” deBeers said. “I just love spending time with my family.”

A good Thanksgiving meal isn’t just about the food, but about spending time with the people we love. However, the food is never a downside.