As Thanksgiving approaches, many students and teachers look forward to a much-needed pause from the busy rhythm of school life. Beyond the holidays and travels, this time of year serves as an opportunity to connect with loved ones, decompress from stress and reflect on the smaller, positive aspects of life. To gain a closer look at how people in the Poly community spend this time of year, I spoke with Vincent Iannelli, choral director and music programs coordinator, new English faculty Blake Piel, Grace Montague ’27, and Isaac Wise ’28 about their plans, family traditions, and favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
What are your plans for this upcoming Thanksgiving break?
Iannelli: “My family and I are thinking of going to Costa Rica over the break.”
Piel: “I am taking a road trip. I’m from Mississippi, so my husband and I are gonna drive from New York to Mississippi and visit my family. Along the way, we’re gonna stop in Pittsburgh and then Kentucky.”
Wise: “First, I plan to sleep a lot…I love to sleep but I never have enough time. This year for Thanksgiving, I think my family is hosting our relatives at my upstate house. We will all have a cozy fall break, and I just plan on getting a lot of rest and taking care of myself.”
Montague: “I’’m going to go upstate. I have two [sides of my family] with cousins that come upstate, along with my grandparents from the city, from the Bronx. We all have a really big Thanksgiving dinner, and we all play soccer and do things afterwards, like play board games.”
From plane flights to car drives, there is a lot of travel during the Thanksgiving holidays. However, a universal holiday destination is the sanctuary our loved ones create.
Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions in your family?
Iannelli: “Every Thanksgiving we eat two turkeys, but we leave half of one turkey for the neighbors. Also, we don’t eat the legs because of an old family tradition that we don’t even know; my whole family has never eaten the legs of the turkey.”
Piel: “My dad and my brothers are big hunters. So, growing up, we would always make Thanksgiving the first hunt of the season. I do not like hunting personally, but I still go and sit with them, and I’ll just bring a book and read while they try to catch a turkey.”
Wise: “Yes. My family hasn’t actually made turkey in a while… we switch it up and sometimes we get chicken and also brisket. But, at every Thanksgiving, along with all the Jewish holidays, but specifically Thanksgiving, we always have matzo ball soup.”
Montague: “We always cater a bunch of different things from our family steakhouse. It’s all really delicious.”
Traditions are woven into our everyday lives to help ground our identities in our cultural heritage. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dishes, mysterious eating habits, or spending time with loved ones, traditions are a garnish in our holidays to help make the time our own.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving Dish?
Iannelli: “My favorite dish is definitely mashed potatoes, because I’m the cook of the mashed potatoes. I make the best mashed potatoes.”
Piel: “My extended family is all from New Orleans, and so we’ve always done Cajun dishes, like oyster dressing. One year, instead of a turkey, we had an alligator. It was during Hurricane Katrina, and all my family was staying with us. But my favorite dish would have to be creamy casserole and cranberry sauce.”
Wise: “I love mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. They’re like one of my favorite foods, and they’re just warm and creamy and delicious. I also love it when my dad makes brisket, and I love matzo ball soup.”
Montague: “Definitely, mashed potatoes.”
Food has a remarkable way of connecting us, not only to our families but to our memories and cultures. From creamy mashed potatoes to matzo ball soup, the food we eat during our holiday meals marks the sacred time with comfort and identity.
What is your least favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Iannelli: “I don’t know what’s not to like. Wait, no, no, I don’t like cranberry sauce. I only like canned cranberry sauce. I won’t eat the regular one, all the nuts and stuff are just silly.”
Wise: “I have never been a fan of turkey, just because it’s always dry, and it doesn’t have a ton of flavor. I also don’t like cranberry sauce. I just don’t like that fruitiness in my savory meal.”
Montague: “I have never really liked gravy.”
While everyone has standout favorites, certain dishes — like cranberry sauce — are a bit more controversial. However, these differing tastes remind us that Thanksgiving tables are diverse and less about what we are eating, and more about who we are eating with. Even disagreements about cranberry sauce and gravy can even become part of the joy and humor of gathering during the holidays.
Is there anything you would like to share with students as they head into this break?
Piel: “Just relax and take time to be with your family. I think coming back re-energized is important. Watch a good show, decompress.”
Wise: “Take advantage of the time off… use it to your benefit. Get in some extra hours of sleep so you’re ready for the rest of the school year until winter break. It’s not too far to go, but it’s a hard time of the year because it’s very cold and everyone’s kind of a little gloomy and a little more depressed. So I would just say, take care of yourself during that time.”
Montague: “I think that people should take advantage of the time they get to spend with their family over break because being in high school makes it easier for you to see your family, and once you’re out of high school and you’re in college, you might not have these opportunities. So appreciate and take advantage of this time with loved ones.”
Iannelli: “Yes, practice your music, because the winter concert will be coming up very soon after Thanksgiving break. Students can perform for their families all the songs they have learned!”
Thanksgiving break is a time to unwind from the stress of daily life. Students and teachers alike should focus their energy on what is best for them, whether that is spending time with family, spending time alone, or performing music.
Why do you think that the spirit of thanksgiving is necessary in the Poly community?
Iannelli: “Poly has so many things that so many people don’t have. We should all constantly be thankful for the teachers, staff, and students.”
Piel: “I think gratitude is one of the healthiest things for yourself and building community. I mean, it always feels so good to express gratitude. I don’t think it’s done nearly enough. I think to your family members, expressing that is healthy, but sometimes also to just say ‘I appreciate you’ to a friend is really rare and beautiful. People definitely need to say thank you more!”
Wise: “I think that it’s always good to show appreciation for the people in our lives, and this time of year brings awareness to all that is wonderful in our day to day lives!”
Montague: “In my experience, I am super grateful for all of the classes I am in, I was super lucky with all of my classes, and I am going to use the holidays to appreciate these things fully.”
Whether traveling across the country, gathering with family, cooking up delicious meals, or simply catching up on sleep and relaxing, these community members are finding their own way to enjoy the Thanksgiving break. Yet, a common theme emerges from each conversation: gratitude. As our school community heads into the holidays, it is an important reminder to slow down and exhibit love and appreciation for ourselves, as well as for the people in our lives who are dear to us. 
