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Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving
The transition into the month of October marks the beginning of fall: the days are shorter, ruby red maple leaves cover our sidewalks, and, for many, the holiday season has officially begun. Last Thursday, right before Thanksgiving Break, the Brentwood community gathered in Crooks Hall to share a Thanksgiving meal and express gratitude for the myriad of things we have to be grateful for: the amazing food from our Food Services Staff, our incredibly hardworking teachers, our beautiful campus, roommates, Houseparents, friends, and so much more.
After every house was seated, Mme Albinati started the evening with a thoughtful speech expressing the significance of this meal: an opportunity to unite together regardless of our individual differences. “I want you to look at the people around you and cherish this time with them” she said.
Students filed through the outstanding buffet by house, piling bread, salad, mashed potatoes, vegetables, turkey, and stuffing on their plates before topping it off with gravy and cranberry sauce. “The food was incredible,” remarked Sylvia E, Alex House Captain, Alex ‘23. “The Food Services Staff outdo themselves every year and I am incredibly grateful for their dedication.”
After finishing their meals and savouring the delicious mini pumpkin pies, many students headed to the plaza outside Crooks Hall to take pictures with their friends as the sun set over Mill Bay.
The evening concluded with the annual Thanksgiving cabaret, MC’d by our Assistant Head Prefect of Arts, Heather L, Mack ‘23. We listened to impressive renditions of popular songs by talented students like Kerrington G, Hope ‘26, Sophie W, Mack ‘23 & Gillian D, Hope ‘24. They were supported by the house band consisting of Mr McGill, Mr Newns, Zheng Y, Privett ‘24, and Ariel C, Privett ‘23. The music was a lovely way to conclude the evening and many students left Crooks Hall still humming “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse after Sophie W’s performance.
During these past couple of weeks, gratitude has proven to be an incredibly powerful tool as our community navigates through these challenging times. Gathering together under one roof to consume delicious food surrounded by the friends that have become family was a very special way to spend the evening.
On behalf of the Brentwood community, I would like to extend some words of thanks. Thank you to all of our staff who give up their weekends and work tirelessly to clean, garden, cook, coach, teach, and care for us when we need it most. Thank you to our Houseparents who lead their lives and raise their families on campus while caring for 60+ teenagers. Thank you to the administration and SEC for your unrelenting leadership and guidance. Most of all, I am grateful for the students and the incredible community we have created on this campus. Thank you for your kindness, friendship, and support. Here’s to many more Thanksgivings and celebrations of all of the things we have to be grateful for.
Maxine P, Alex ‘23
After every house was seated, Mme Albinati started the evening with a thoughtful speech expressing the significance of this meal: an opportunity to unite together regardless of our individual differences. “I want you to look at the people around you and cherish this time with them” she said.
Students filed through the outstanding buffet by house, piling bread, salad, mashed potatoes, vegetables, turkey, and stuffing on their plates before topping it off with gravy and cranberry sauce. “The food was incredible,” remarked Sylvia E, Alex House Captain, Alex ‘23. “The Food Services Staff outdo themselves every year and I am incredibly grateful for their dedication.”
After finishing their meals and savouring the delicious mini pumpkin pies, many students headed to the plaza outside Crooks Hall to take pictures with their friends as the sun set over Mill Bay.
The evening concluded with the annual Thanksgiving cabaret, MC’d by our Assistant Head Prefect of Arts, Heather L, Mack ‘23. We listened to impressive renditions of popular songs by talented students like Kerrington G, Hope ‘26, Sophie W, Mack ‘23 & Gillian D, Hope ‘24. They were supported by the house band consisting of Mr McGill, Mr Newns, Zheng Y, Privett ‘24, and Ariel C, Privett ‘23. The music was a lovely way to conclude the evening and many students left Crooks Hall still humming “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse after Sophie W’s performance.
During these past couple of weeks, gratitude has proven to be an incredibly powerful tool as our community navigates through these challenging times. Gathering together under one roof to consume delicious food surrounded by the friends that have become family was a very special way to spend the evening.
On behalf of the Brentwood community, I would like to extend some words of thanks. Thank you to all of our staff who give up their weekends and work tirelessly to clean, garden, cook, coach, teach, and care for us when we need it most. Thank you to our Houseparents who lead their lives and raise their families on campus while caring for 60+ teenagers. Thank you to the administration and SEC for your unrelenting leadership and guidance. Most of all, I am grateful for the students and the incredible community we have created on this campus. Thank you for your kindness, friendship, and support. Here’s to many more Thanksgivings and celebrations of all of the things we have to be grateful for.
Maxine P, Alex ‘23