This time of year, people are excited to get out of school for a few days and stuff their faces full of turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes.

People tend to forget the importance of this holiday, giving thanks and professing what you’re thankful for.

“I am thankful for my friends and family and all the support they’ve given me over the years,” says Jim Heinrichs, 16.

Heinrichs and his left tibia are known around the school for the events of the Freddie Falcon pageant.

“I am thankful for Jim’s left tibia, it is going to make the school famous one day,” says Diana Pham, 17.

Back to a serious note though, Thanksgiving is a time for us to enjoy the quality time we get to spend with our families and forget about that three page lab report that is due or the ten pages of split page journals you need to do over that book you may or may have not read. The teachers here at West also enjoy to spend time with their loved ones.

“I am thankful for my job and how my work allows me to spend time with my family” says West choir director Tyler Finley. “I am thankful for my wonderful pets and the kindness of others. I am also thankful for my friends and family and most of all, my West High family” says West science teacher Heather Cress.

“I am thankful for my health and the health of my family,” says science teacher Alan Schwery.

“I am thankful for having my life and having my family. I get to come home to a warm bed at night, something some kids don’t have,” says Marcos Perez, 16.

It is great we get to have a nice, well-needed five day weekend and eat until we can’t stand, but it’s good to remember the true meaning behind Thanksgiving: being thankful for what you have and spending time with your family.