As Thanksgiving break is approaching, St. Ambrose University students share what their favorite Thanksgiving tradition is. From the food to watching football, the SAU community does it all. 

“What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? Why?”

Elizabeth Vaninger

MAJOR: Nursing with a minor biology

YEAR: Junior

HOMETOWN: Ottawa, Illinois

“Playing euchre, eating all the family favorites, watching football, and getting to see family that I don’t get to see often!”

Charles Hart

MAJOR: TV/Radio Broadcasting 

YEAR: Senior

HOMETOWN: Cedar Rapids, Iowa 

“My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is on the actual day of thanksgiving my family gathers at a different family member’s house each year for a really awesome meal. This is my favorite tradition because it’s a good time to socialize and catch up with family who I don’t get to see all that often and it’s a time to truly take in all that I’m thankful for.”

Faith McCubbin

MAJOR: Psychology with minors in political science and pre-law studies, also in the 4+1 masters of science in criminal justice

YEAR: Junior

HOMETOWN: East Moline, Illinois

“My favorite tradition is getting pumpkin bread loaves from my grandma. It’s something I always look forward to because Thanksgiving is the only time she makes them and they are my absolute favorite. They are nostalgic to me and have only gotten more special to me because they remind me of my grandma. She knows they are my favorite, and now that I’m in college she always makes sure to sneak me a few extra every year to take back to school with me. “

Will Haugen  

MAJOR: Nursing

YEAR: Freshman

HOMETOWN: Dubuque, Iowa

“My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is looking through all of the Black Friday ads because it is something that I get to do with my family that we all enjoy doing together. It creates a time for everyone to be together and to share what’s new in our lives.”

Jillian Atkinson

MAJOR: Exercise Science  

YEAR: Junior

HOMETOWN: Dubuque, Iowa

“I love getting to see all my cousins and extended family at Thanksgiving! We always bring pickle wraps, which are dill pickles wrapped in cream cheese and ham, to share. They are usually gone within the first few minutes because they are one of our favorite holiday foods!”

Cameron Giampaolo

MAJOR: Digital Media Production

YEAR: Junior

HOMETOWN: New Lenox, Illinois

“After dinner every year, the family gathers in the living room to break the Christmas seal by watching our favorite Christmas movie; National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

Peyton Reese

MAJOR: Elementary Education 

YEAR: Junior

HOMETOWN: Eldridge, Iowa 

“My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is watching the Macy’s thanksgiving day parade while we eat breakfast! My family has done this since I was young and it’s a great way to kick off the holidays while spending some good time together. ”