Tables and chairs lined the hallways of Gurrie Middle School Tuesday for the school’s annual Thanksgiving feast.
Students, faculty, parents and local first responders were all invited to share a meal provided by the seventh- and eighth-grade students.
“The Gurrie community is a family and the 400 or so people gathered today will celebrate as a family and as a community,” said principal Ed Hood.
Students sat together with their advisory teachers and special guests were seated at different tables so groups of students could talk to them about the food they brought to share.
“I enjoy all of the different food from different places and cultures”, said eighth-grader Meah Larocco, “I brought a chocolate cake from Portillo’s for dessert.”
Eighth-grader Anna Westrick brought soda and water to share.
“I love how the feast brings everyone together and everything is good to eat,” she said.
Math teacher and adviser Susan Calder helped keep food passing at her tables.
“Looking up and down the aisle and seeing people eating together is amazing,” she said. “There are 400 people together as a family today.”
Many students shared food from their ethnic culture. Luka Tomich brought his mother’s burek, which he said is a meat pie from the Serbian culture.
“This is a great way for everyone to come together and have a fun time,” said eighth-grader Jack Bradburi.
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Student Juliet Duarte said the feast was a nice break from classes.
“The tamales and salad were my favorite. It’s nice to be able to try so many foods you don’t normally eat,” she said.
Teacher Carolyn Pann said she started the feast in 1998 with two other teachers, Fran Colby and retired teacher Janine Stavrou. Pann said she got the idea on a trip to Italy when she saw tables set outside.
“It was a fundraiser for the Red Cross, and I wanted to see if we could do something like this at Gurrie,” Pann said.
She says the idea evolved into students bringing dishes that represent their cultural heritage and that before the feast they give the students lessons on manners so everyone can enjoy the day.
Retired teacher Janine Stavrou was an invited guest to this year’s feast.
“I taught culinary arts and the first years I had my students make turkey and other foods to share,” Stavrou said.
Many of the foods served were not traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
“My sister and I made a cream pie from an old recipe we found online. I think it turned out good” said student Kyle Hannigan, who was celebrating his first feast at Gurrie after transferring from another school.
Hannigan also said he enjoyed the tamales and the ham.
Some students brought favorite dishes prepared by their parents.
“My mom makes really good mashed potatoes so I wanted to share them today,” said eighth-grader Alexander Smith.
Students are also participating in a zero waste policy in which all of the food, plates and silverware will be recycled or composted. Faculty member Steve Driscoll, who runs the Green Team with teacher Matt Eigel, said the zero waste project started three years ago.
“One of the parents of former students, Rose Naseef, suggested we start composting and do a better job at handling waste,” Driscoll said. “We have a garden in the courtyard and we use composting to help grow pumpkins and other plants. Students who are team green captains, will help gather compost material after the feast.”
Driscoll said last year’s goal was to create only one garbage can for waste and this year’s goal is to create only one garbage bag.
Diane Dachota is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.