Traditions cultivate memories
Cherie Watkins
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Culture
As the Thanksgiving and winter holiday seasons approach, students are making plans and looking forward to revisiting family traditions.
Anna Mitchell, a sophomore from Church Hill, Tenn., said this year her family is going to try something new.
"My family and I are going to rent a cabin out in West Virginia and meet there," Mitchell said. "Most of my family lives up north."
Since Mitchell will have a break from studying, she said that she plans on getting up and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade like she does every year.
"I used to [watch] it with my grandfather when he was alive, and so I do it in remembrance of him," Mitchell said.
Another way her family spends time together is making holiday candy, she said.
"It involves the whole family, and it's a whole day thing," Mitchell said.
Shemika Walker, a senior from Nashville, said before that day comes, she looks forward to being with family and friends on Thanksgiving.
Walker also said she enjoys home-cooked meals that are prepared on Thanksgiving Day.
"My favorite thing to eat is macaroni and cheese and sweet potatoes," she said.
Walker said one tradition she shares with her family is everyone meeting at her house and playing a game called Poker-Tingo, which is similar to bingo but played with cards.
Walker also said her family usually goes to Louisville, Ky., during the winter break, but they will being going to Nashville this year instead and then going to Chattanooga for her graduation in December.
Other students will stay in Chattanooga to celebrate the holidays.
Emily Parsons, a senior from Chattanooga, said she anticipates spending time with her family and her daughter who just turned 2 years old.
"I'm looking forward to her being able to enjoy the holidays and being around other children," Parsons said.
Although she plans on working during the break, she does not let that keep her from having the holiday spirit.
Parsons said she works at the Riverview Animal Hospital where the company will be collecting donations for animals.
Parsons said the company is accepting donations for items such as blankets and pillows and even medical supplies.
"It's kind of like a children's fund for Christmas presents," Parsons said. "We're doing that for animals for the shelter."
Anna Mitchell, a sophomore from Church Hill, Tenn., said this year her family is going to try something new.
"My family and I are going to rent a cabin out in West Virginia and meet there," Mitchell said. "Most of my family lives up north."
Since Mitchell will have a break from studying, she said that she plans on getting up and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade like she does every year.
"I used to [watch] it with my grandfather when he was alive, and so I do it in remembrance of him," Mitchell said.
Another way her family spends time together is making holiday candy, she said.
"It involves the whole family, and it's a whole day thing," Mitchell said.
Shemika Walker, a senior from Nashville, said before that day comes, she looks forward to being with family and friends on Thanksgiving.
Walker also said she enjoys home-cooked meals that are prepared on Thanksgiving Day.
"My favorite thing to eat is macaroni and cheese and sweet potatoes," she said.
Walker said one tradition she shares with her family is everyone meeting at her house and playing a game called Poker-Tingo, which is similar to bingo but played with cards.
Walker also said her family usually goes to Louisville, Ky., during the winter break, but they will being going to Nashville this year instead and then going to Chattanooga for her graduation in December.
Other students will stay in Chattanooga to celebrate the holidays.
Emily Parsons, a senior from Chattanooga, said she anticipates spending time with her family and her daughter who just turned 2 years old.
"I'm looking forward to her being able to enjoy the holidays and being around other children," Parsons said.
Although she plans on working during the break, she does not let that keep her from having the holiday spirit.
Parsons said she works at the Riverview Animal Hospital where the company will be collecting donations for animals.
Parsons said the company is accepting donations for items such as blankets and pillows and even medical supplies.
"It's kind of like a children's fund for Christmas presents," Parsons said. "We're doing that for animals for the shelter."
