As every inch of the lunchroom filled with students, Ripple Effect began setting up for their thankful turkey event. The only sounds heard are laughter and conversations among friends. Everyone is excited for Thanksgiving break, already in the mindset of the long awaited 5 day break, only 2 days left until break.
On Monday, November 24, 2025, Ripple effect organized their thankful turkey event during all lunch periods where students could write what they are thankful for on a paper hand, and tape it on the wall next to the student activities office.
Dr. Veltman, Ripple Effect’s club sponsor, shares what Ripple Effect is all about: “So it’s a club that builds community by bringing people together through acts of kindness and fun activities and great people.”
At first not many students went up to participate, but after Dr. Veltman made the announcement for the event, everyone lined up, waiting for their turn to write a thank you message.
Dr. Veltman explains how the event works: “Yeah. So we take a turkey hand and write what you’re thankful for, and then put it on our thankful Turkey on the wall. And when we’re done, we’ll have a collage of everybody’s well wishes and best thoughts and thanks,” furthermore he expresses the importance of being thankful: “Well, everybody’s thankful for something, and showing your appreciation is an act of kindness.”
This event came together with the help of all the Ripple Effect’s members from staying after school to help organize and to cut the turkey hands.
Ripple Effect’s co-president, senior Isabella Juarez shares the most challenging part of the event: “I would say the most difficult part was trying to get people to come to the table, or respecting school guidelines when it came to writing stuff down, and making sure that they were still following the rules. Another thing definitely was for people to not take advantage of it by changing their minds and taking up most of the hand turkeys since we had a limited amount.”
Even though there were some challenges throughout the event, the students seemed to enjoy this activity during their lunch periods by their smiles shown across their faces while writing their gratitude messages.
Senior Kelly Rivera describes what Thanksgiving means to her: “It means being able to take a moment and really think about the people and the things that you’re really thankful for, and you really give thanks for. So to me, it’s a really important thing, because it reminds you of those smallest things that people have done for you.”
As the event came to an end, the wall next to the student activities office was filled with many thankful messages.
“I’m thankful for all of my friends because they support me,” shares Sophomore, Luis Carvajal.
The holiday spirit was in the air. This event definitely brought all the students together, and helped them show their gratitude.
Jonathan Garcia shares who he is thankful for: “I am thankful for my dad and my mom.”
Overall the event was a success. It got students and staff members reflecting on who and what they are thankful for. And even more, school spirit was shown through the participation of the students.
