At the end of the meal, no one was in a hurry to leave. Each year, students of the Mettawee Community School (MCS) invite seniors to join them in a Thanksgiving Feast on the last day of school before the holiday weekend. Each year, the young and young at heart enjoy each other’s company, play games, sing songs, and gobble a turkey lunch with all the best sides.
“This day is always special at Mettawee,” said MCS Principal Brooke DeBonis. “It’s an opportunity to share our school with people we love. Everyone pitches in to make the day one to remember.”
The list of 2025 brought together grandparents, neighbors, friends of families, and members of the community. As an added bonus, this year’s festivities included some familiar faces, as a few retired teachers returned for a chance to see their former pupils. More than 90 guests joined with students and staff for a meal that served nearly 200.
The Kindergarten class opened the Feast with a song, “What I am Thankful For.” Then their teacher, Sarah Dunbar, took a hand held microphone to each of her youngsters, who announced to the crowd the one thing they were thankful for. There were mentions of Mom, Dad, my family, a puppy and Mother Earth.
Sixth graders took a leadership role. They were instrumental in setting up tables and decorating the gymnasium for the special occasion. They then greeted the guests and closed the program with a selection of holiday songs for all to sing. Mettawee parents stepped up by baking pies for dessert and dishing out portions of the meal in the buffet line.
The school’s kitchen staff prepared turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, and more. DeBonis singled out their contribution to the Feast, “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of Tera Williams, Lisa Olsen, and Lisa Woods for cooking, preparing and serving all the delicious food.”
Even a few recent graduates of the K-6th grade school returned to lend a hand. Students of Long Trail and Granville Jr/Sr High School delivered beverages and deserts on food trolleys to the seated guests and then pitched in to help clean.
“I always love coming back to see my teachers,” said a former student. “But most importantly, it’s a way to give back to Mettawee for all the wonderful things that happen here. Like a day like today.”
(Photo above: This grandmother and granddaughter enjoy each others company at the Mettawee Thanksgiving Feast.)
Kindergarten teacher, Sarah Dunbar, took a hand held microphone to each of her youngsters, who announced to the crowd the one thing they were thankful for.
Each year, the young and young at heart come together at Mettawee to play games, sing songs, and gobble a turkey lunch with all the fixings.
Recent Mettawee graduates now attending the Long Trail School and Granville Jr/Sr High School returned to deliver beverages and deserts on food trolleys to the seated guests.
Mettawee kitchen staff - Tera Williams Lisa Olsen (left), Lisa Olsen (center) and Lisa Wood (right) - recognized for their work for the Thanksgiving Feast.