Thanksgiving at Shawnigan

As the leaves start to turn orange and the weather becomes colder, everyone at Shawnigan is excited for one thing: Thanksgiving. 

 

Over the years, Thanksgiving has become one of my favourite holidays. Growing up, it was a time when I could eat tasty food and share stories with my family. As I grew older and moved across the country to attend university, the holiday became a time of reunion. Thanksgiving typically fell during my reading week, so a few weeks into the semester, I would pack up my suitcase and fly home to spend time with my family. Just as we did when I was younger, we would gather around the table to share a wonderful feast. But now the holiday held a deeper meaning. It was a rare moment to reconnect and catch up with family members I no longer saw every day. Thanksgiving quickly became something I looked forward to every year.

 

This year, Thanksgiving feels a bit different. I’m freshly graduated from university and recently moved to Shawnigan Lake School, located in my home province of British Columbia. Naturally, I was curious to see what my favourite holiday would be like this time around.

 

On October 8, the day started with a different kind of buzz. Classes dragged on and stomachs rumbled a bit earlier than usual as everyone grew restless for the feast ahead. 

 

When the 360 (arts and activities) instructors announced dismissal, the campus burst into motion as students rushed back to their dorms. Ties were tied, Birkenstocks were traded for Oxfords, and blazers were thrown over shoulders. Thanksgiving is, of course, a formal event. Such a wonderful meal deserves the best attire from our students. 

 

At Kaye’s House, the energy was electric. The girls gathered outside the House, taking pictures, laughing with one another, and waiting for their mystery escorts to take them down to Marion Hall. Then, as if out of nowhere, Ripley’s arrived with their pressed Number Ones and each with an orange flower in hand. One by one, the Grade 12s announced their pairings, and soon everyone walked arm-in-arm down the hill toward Marion Hall, faces flushed and grins wide. My fellow staff members and I joined in on the action as well, laughing as the four of us linked arms and made our way towards the feast. 

 

The moment I stepped inside Marion Hall, the smell of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing hit me like a wave. The kitchen staff had spent days preparing for the dinner. It’s no easy task, preparing a meal for more than 600 people, but each dish on the table was made with care and pride. The golden-brown turkeys had been roasted that afternoon, while the homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, and vegetables were prepared over two days. 

 

The girls from Kaye’s followed suit as the students poured into the dining hall and eagerly waited for Mr. Lamont to begin grace. As soon as the word “amen” escaped people’s lips, the room erupted into a Thanksgiving frenzy. Plates of turkey, yams, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, served by staff members, were devoured by hungry students and the sound of laughter filled the room as conversations carried across the long tables. 

 

At my table with the Grade 10s from Kaye’s, we took our time with our food, savouring every last bite and talking animatedly about the break ahead. Many students were going home, others were staying with friends, and a few were spending the next few days in Lecky House to enjoy the quiet campus. Deciding to bring a family tradition to the table, I asked each student what they were thankful for. I started by sharing how grateful I was for the girls at the table, who had made my time at Shawnigan so welcoming. As we went around, I was taken aback by the maturity of the students. Some were thankful for the food in front of them, others mentioned their roommates, and a few expressed gratitude for their teammates and friends. 

 

As the night wound down and students left with full stomachs and warm hearts, I realized that Thanksgiving at Shawnigan isn’t so different from home. It’s about connection, gratitude, and sharing a meal with people who make you feel like family.