By: Jane Lee
As the leaves transform into crimson colors and students bustle around with hot cups of coffee in their hands, there is no doubt that it’s midterm season. With fall’s arrival, the ever-so-nearing holiday spirits are put into high gear.
Thanksgiving is an all-time favorite holiday for many. The first thoughts that arise when hearing or talking about Thanksgiving point back to good old family times or indulging in the traditional delicious feasts. Students on campus were asked what they are most thankful for each Thanksgiving and why. Sometimes it becomes a routine for people to say “thank you” or “I’m thankful for this and that,” but what’s the genuinity that lies beneath these phrases?
Though all individuals are unique in their ways, one commonality that UIUC students often share during this holiday is the warm appreciation for the people and things that surround them.
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Janette Urban, Sophomore, Business
What are you most thankful for?
“Family, friends, church groups, and home.”
Why are some of those things meaningful to you?
“Family is always there for me whenever I need it. I know that they’ll always be supportive. Friends, it’s awesome to be with people who are similar to you and get to be yourself with.”
What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to thanksgiving?
“Family, food and football.”
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Carla Stelsel, Freshman, Physics
What’s something that you’re thankful for?
“I’m just really thankful for my friends and my family and my church. Just the opportunity to be with the people that I care about.”
What comes to your mind when you think of thanksgiving?
“I think of family and food. I just think of home.”
What does home mean to you?
“Home is where your heart is and it’s where your family is.”
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Harris Ahmed, Sophomore, Business
What’s one thing that you’re thankful for?
“One thing that I’ve been thankful for, which I realized right now, realizing during midterms, is kind of having a friend support system going on studying for midterms.”
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of thanksgiving?
“Family. It’s pretty typical because you get together with your family at that time we have school off, we get to go back and have a nice meal with family.”
What’s the most significant thing about thanksgiving to you?
“I think the biggest thing I value about thanksgiving is just being able to look back your time with the people you love and just to be thankful.”
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Riya Shah, Freshman, DGS
What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to thanksgiving?
“A big family get together with a lot of people and just family in general.”
What are you most thankful for?
“Just having people to celebrate with and the closeness of our family.”
What’s the significance of family to you?
“I think it’s just having a support system, having people who care about you…even checking up on you during the holidays.”
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Steven Ciolek, Freshman, Kinesiology
When you think of thanksgiving, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
“Food and family.”
Why are those significant to you?
“They’ve just always been around for thanksgiving for as long as I can remember.”
What are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful for my family. My family’s health and them being happy and healthy.”
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Diana Lopez, Sophomore, Biology
What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to thanksgiving?
“I just think about warm food and being surrounded by family. Overall having a nice time with people that we love.”
What are you most thankful for?
“The opportunities that I’ve been given and just in general, that I’m in good health and that I have the opportunity to make my dreams come true.”
What’s the most memorable thing about thanksgiving?
“I eat more than usual.”
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Leo Larios, Sophomore, ECE
When you think of thanksgiving, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
“Food is the first thing that comes to mind. I think it’s just one of those things that everyone talks about when they talk about thanksgiving.”
Why is it the most memorable thing for you?
“It’s just a time you get together with your family and get to do what thanksgiving is all about.”
What are you most thankful for?
“Family and friends, very important. They’re really the things that keeps you going when times get tough.”
The Spread 