Last Friday, the Intercambio Club hosted a Thanksgiving Tasting at the PAC Cafe. This event aimed to unite students by introducing them to traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Organized by the Intercambio Club and English Language Learners (ELL) teacher James Nelson, it offered a tasty way for students to explore American traditions.
This annual gathering began seven years ago in Nelson’s classroom. He shared, “Initially, I cooked everything myself. Now, we have students raising money and parents volunteering.” The Intercultural Leadership class also played a big role by creating decorations and contributing to the event’s success.
Sophomore Fatima Gallardo Aguirre explained her goal for the tasting: “I want students to learn about American traditions, especially Thanksgiving, through food. Many students don’t celebrate this holiday, including me. This event helps introduce it.”
The cafe filled with eager students lining up to fill their plates with a variety of dishes, from turkey and ham to green bean casserole and apple pie. Volunteers, including parents and Intercambio Club members, helped serve the food.
Alongside the classic items, students created various stuffings with support from the Career Tech Education (CTE) Food and Nutrition class. Choices ranged from Hawaiian pineapple and Portuguese sausage to traditional herb stuffing. This collaborative effort showcased the school’s diverse culinary talents.
Nelson hoped the event would help students see the connections between cultures. “I want students to realize they can cook amazing meals in our professional kitchen. It could spark interest in taking culinary classes,” he said.
The essence of Thanksgiving, as Nelson emphasized, is about building community through shared experiences. “Regardless of what’s happening in the media, we want everyone to feel welcome here,” he added.
As the event wrapped up, students were encouraged to take leftovers home, sharing these new flavors with their families. Nelson hopes this initiative will bring U.S.-born students and ELL students closer together, fostering appreciation for different cultures. “I want them to enjoy what they have and realize they can share American culture, bringing joy to their friends,” he said.
The Intercambio Club aims to continue bridging connections within the school community. Gallardo Aguirre expressed her hopes: “I want students to feel included and engaged, enjoying food while making memories with friends.” The club meets every Thursday in G-2. This Thanksgiving Tasting shows how food can connect people from different backgrounds and create lasting bonds.
