By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–When it came to being thankful, a special group of Union City High School students were first in line.
Regina Turner’s Comprehensive Development Class class at UCHS got the jump on everybody today when they both prepared and ate Thanksgiving dinner at the school.
Assisted by Turner and Pam Barber, a group of 15 students cooked the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and dressing feast with all the trimmings.
It was the first such holiday celebration for some class members, according to Turner.
“We were talking in class about the changing of the seasons and about Thanksgiving coming up,” last year’s UCHS Teacher of the Year said. “A few of them said they’d never had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. A few more told me they’d never even had turkey and dressing.
“I just thought this would be a nice idea and they could all sit together and celebrate a wonderful time of the year. They really enjoyed preparing the meal and took a great deal of pride in putting together something that a lot of people take for granted.”
Formal place settings at which each student had their own personalized name card was also part of the experience. Turner even had a couple of students practice boys seating girls first in gentlemen gestures.
Jake Green said the blessing before the meal.
Mashed potatoes, cranberry salad, yams, corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese along with both cornbread and rolls were also on the menu. The students also prepared chocolate and their award-winning (Obion County Fair) chess pie for dessert.
Those who were involved in the preparation of the meal were part of the clean-up crew afterward.
“They said they were all thankful for something,” Turner smiled, while watching her students enjoy the occasion. “It was special.”
Indeed, it was.
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