×

Washington County Career Center serves up Thanksgiving favorites

Photo by Peyton Neely Students from the Career Center pass dishes and share stories during the Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday.

MARIETTA — Washington County Career Center students feasted on turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and stuffing to celebrate Thanksgiving on Wednesday.

For the last 17 years, the career center has hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire student body, administrators, faculty and staff.

“This shows that we are just one big family here,” said Penny Jenkins, marketing and events coordinator for the career center. “The kids love it and it’s actually something they look forward to every single year.”

This year, Jenkins, with the help of the cooks and volunteering staff, prepared 550 plates and cooked 384 pounds of turkey.

“I am so thankful for this because not many schools get to do this,” said Kelsey Sampson, a senior from the Fort Frye district. “It’s really neat to see all of the students in one room together like this.”

Photo by Peyton Neely Student body president and Fort Frye/career center senior Kelsey Sampson shares a prayer with the students at the Washington County Career Center before their Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday.

The students filled the cafeteria and sat together based on programs, sharing stories with each other and getting a sense of joy for the holiday season.

“At the career center we like to develop positive relationships and this is just one of the ways we do that,” said Superintendent Dennis Blatt. “For many students this is their Thanksgiving dinner and we like to be able to be the ones that provide that for them.”

As students ate, some shared what they were thankful for this year.

“I have so many things to be thankful for,” said senior Brianna Elkins, of Belpre. “My family has helped me so much with the college application process and the career center for not only giving us the opportunity to kick start our careers but a Thanksgiving dinner as well.”

For junior, Kaycee Elliott, of Marietta, the experience Wednesday was overwhelming.

“This is my first year at the career center and I have never seen anything like this,” she said. “I’m so thankful for everyone getting together for something like this.”

Other students expressed the importance of loved ones during the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Being able to do this around friends is amazing,” said senior Evan Scott, of Marietta. “This is really special that the career center does this for us.”

Scott’s government teacher, Jeff Richman, said he was thankful for an opportunity from supporting staff to bring an event like the family-style meal to the school.

“It’s just a great experience to be able to share this with the entire student body,” he said.

Richman’s son, Nathan Richman, a senior from Marietta, was sitting next to his father and said he was grateful to be able to share two Thanksgiving meals with him.

“I’m really thankful for my dad,” said Nathan. “Oh, and my mom and dogs. Just my entire family, I love Thanksgiving.”

The students of the career center can count on this in the future, said Blatt.

“This is a nice event and we anticipate it for many years to come,” he said.

That’s welcome news to the students who said they feel they have a family at the school.

“My family and friends do a lot for me,” said senior Megan Kelley, of Marietta. “It feels so heart-warming and amazing that my school comes together and does something like this. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today