Thanksgiving is an annual national holiday marked by religious observances and a traditional meal including turkey. The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November.

I went around asking north high students how they spend their Thanksgiving and what it really means to give thanks.

I sat down with Emma Roling, a junior at North High, who says she gives thanks to “show appreciation for all the things the people around you do for you and things you’ve been gifted in this life.”

Thanksgiving is a time where families get together. It is nice because not every family can get together all of the time so Thanksgiving is a special time for some families.

For Emma, she spends the holiday at her grandparent’s house in Iowa and they watch football and eat. Emma’s favorite Thanksgiving day food is macaroni and corn.

It is important to tell those around you that you are thankful for them. Emma likes to do this by simply saying “thank you” and by telling people that she is thankful for them.