Towards the end of the month of November every Sunlake High School student looks forwards to the refreshing time off when turkeys, fall leaves, and cornucopias are decorating the walls. Friends, family, and relatives fly or drive in to enjoy baked goods and secret family recipes. Enjoying this well deserved break is Mia Young, a senior looking forward to this week. Mia Young spent her Thanksgiving with family and friends, enjoying each others company, and working on songs by practicing and auditioning. Mia’s favorite part of her break was going to Disney with her family. She says that it was especially enjoyable due to being able to stay until midnight, when you can enjoy the park with cool weather and almost no clouds. Unfortunately she didn’t get to see the new “Wicked: For Good” movie that had aired that week, but she is still excited to see it when she gets the chance. Throughout the week Mia kept herself busy with practicing for the Thespian competition season, which she won when her duet was announced the District 14 performance representatives, and her audition for Florida State University vocal program. She still doesn’t know the results, but it went really well and she hopes she gets accepted!
During Thanksgiving, the 27th of November, Mia spent her time with her family. When asked about yearly traditions on this special day she said, “We watched the Macy’s parade in the morning, it’s a tradition we’ve done since I was a baby. After dinner we took my little siblings outside and my dad and uncle played football with them.” Then, during the evening they have their family dinner. When questioned on the cultural tradition about their annual meal Mia commented, “My family is very different, we’re Italian so most of the food is traditional Italian food instead of a regular Thanksgiving meal. My aunt makes pepperoni bread every year and that’s probably my favorite, I can’t go without it!” She love pumpkin pie during the fall season, but nothing can compare to the delicious home cooked meals. Black Friday rolls around the next day and Mia decides to stay very far away from it! For this day she gives her mom her Christmas wish list.
As a senior, Mia used this time to reflect on everything going on. She said that the break really made her think about what she plans on doing with her future, and how everything works together. When asked if Thanksgiving Break felt different as a senior, she responded with “Not too much, I’m planning on going to school in Florida so I’m hoping I can travel home for the holidays, and I also think that being a senior hasn’t really settled in yet so I didn’t really think of it as the last time I’d be doing this while in high school.”
Mia is so grateful for everyone she has met. “I’ve met my best friends for life here, and I have so many teachers who have changed my outlook on life, and given me so much wisdom I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. “
