By Matthew Lankford

Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and feast. They laugh, talk, and play games, all the while enjoying each other's company. Thanksgiving itself is a long-old tradition in United States history. Many people however seem to look over how Thanksgiving came to be in the first place, who founded the tradition, and what popularized it. Though feasting, eating, and getting stuffed is wonderful and so is time with the family, we need to understand how this holiday came to be.

Before Thanksgiving was celebrated as a tradition, Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer was sent by Spain to figure out a faster route to India, however upon his voyage, he discovered the American continent. This discovery kickstarted European colonization. The first country to colonize the American continent would be the Spanish, followed by the French in 1534 and then the English in 1607. 

Beginning in 1621, English settlers and pilgrims held a feast with a Native American Tribe known as the Wampanoag people. The two groups fostered a strong relationship, the Tribe helped the settlers by teaching them how to hunt, plant crops, and get the best of their harvest. These actions saved the settlers and pilgrims from starvation. In response to these actions, the pilgrims held a banquet in appreciation of what the tribe had taught them.

 Though Thanksgiving first began back in the 16th century, more specifically in 1621, which is thought to be when prayers and thanks were offered it is noted that the first recorded religious Thanksgiving Day in Plymouth was in 1623, during this time, colonists gave their thanks and appreciation to god for rain after a two-month drought.

Thanksgiving at the time was more of a tradition, rather than a holiday meaning people didn't really get a break from their jobs like we do today. It was however first made as a United States official holiday back in 1863. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday, the reason he had done so was to, “give thanks after a year of deadly battles during the Civil War.” Thus, it birthed the holiday of Thanksgiving.

Usually, Thanksgiving is celebrated with big feasts and gatherings, however, not everyone Americans and non-Americans alike, celebrate this holiday for multiple different reasons, either it could be that they just don't feel like celebrating it or they follow a certain religion, another good reason that someone may not celebrate Thanksgiving is that they are from a country that may not celebrate it, as not all countries that celebrate it. Some countries besides the United States that celebrate are as follows: Canada, Liberia, Ghana, Netherlands, Grenada, Barbatos,  United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, China, Japan, India,  Israel, and the Norfolk islands. These countries however all have their times and days that they celebrate the tradition, and they celebrate Thanksgiving in different ways, for example, Japan celebrates Thanksgiving on November 23rd every year. The way they celebrate it is by gifts such as letters and cards are exchanged as gestures of thanks. 

Either way, Thanksgiving is important, and that is the reason why you should have a great Thanksgiving.

By Bowie Allmendinger

It was my big day sitting in the toasty oven waiting for our moments to be brought out for all to see and enjoy. Of course I was not nervous at all because I am the star, face of the holiday. Every year they eat me the most over ham. I hate ham. He's my biggest rival and the second most liked. 

Ham tried being friendly to me but I ignored him. I overheard him talking to green bean casserole. “Youll do great the people who don't eat you are missing out”. Classic ham trying to get all the “left overs” on his side just to take me down. I can not stand him. 

We were all brought onto the table and I suspected I was in the center and right next to me ham was there. And all around the table the smaller dishes nobody ate were complaining 

“Let us have a shot” “try me” they cried out.  I laughed while Ham tried to help them but it was too late . The plates were passed out, prayers were said and the first dish was being made. Obviously the human would choose me. The hand started coming my way. I waited but it stopped short right over HAM. I could not believe it hand after hand they reached for ham.

Only a few people took me even green bean casserole was on more plates I could not believe it how could I tell my family what had happened and before I could even blink dinner was over plates were empty and stomachs were full I looked over at ham just to see a single slice left he could barely speak with his last gasp he said “I hope you realize now being left is better than being eaten” and with that and a swift motion of a fork he was gone. Later that night in the fridge I began to think I thought long and hard and finally I had enough courage to talk to the other “left overs” I confessed. All this time I have been caught up in being the favorite but now I realize how those before us are never seen again. I apologize for always being rude to you guys. Thankfully, they accepted my apology. Mac n cheese shouted from the back “how will we stop them from eating us all tomorrow.” The fridge fell silent, everything became dim, nobody could speak until a small quiet voice rose from the bottom shelf “we can all pile in my tray”. It was a green bean casserole some doubted but it was the best chance we had so reluctantly we all piled in and waited. Suddenly a bright light rushed into the fridge. The human looking around saw us and reached out but suddenly jolted back and let out a shout saying “who would create such a thing ill never eat that”. Excitement filled the air as we had survived and would live to see another day. 

By Lauren Jamerson and Alivia Booker 

She ran down the hall to find her best friend covered in blood. The horrific look on her face… seeing someone who used to bring her some much cheer, now still and lifeless. A man with a mask jumped on her threateningly, holding her hostage. He spoke with a sense of familiarity, security, and warmth which quickly turned into insecurity and stabbing chills. He knows she knows who he is. Her best friend's boyfriend. Matthew. Her thoughts are fading away as her blood spills out.

This horrific story plays a part in the plot of scary movies that we love so much. Horror and scary movies are a staple for Halloween,  we made a survey and asked 41 kids what their top five Halloween movies were. Their response is Scream, Halloween, Terrifer,  The Exorcist, and The Conjuring. These five movies have been brought up more times than any other Halloween movie. Why? That starts with Scream, a classic horror movie from 1996.

           Scream is about a high school student named Sidney Prescott and her friends on the anniversary of her mother's death. They become targets of a serial killer in a ghost face mask. Quick and notable quotes add to the success of a good horror movie. Some of Scream’s best quotes are “‘You never told me your name Why do you need to know my name?’ Because I need to know who I'm looking at,” 

Quotable dialogue always plays a big factor in movies. As seen in Halloween, a movie about six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. While being transferred for a court date, Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith's Grove. He returns to his quiet hometown, where he looks for his next victims.

  Dialogue is exceptional in making the movie a fan favorite. The top quote from this is:  “It's Halloween. Everyone is entitled to one good scare."

Vocal dialogue is not the only factor that makes a horror movie a good horror movie. Physical dialogue plays a huge role in making a horror movie a real scare. For example, The Exorcist is the third most favorite horror movie that we had gotten on our poll. The Exorcist is a classic horror film from 1973 where an actress's daughter, Regan, begins to show erratic behaviors.

 As time goes on things get out of hand, and Regan becomes violent, forcing her mother to seek help. As Father Merrin and his skeptic assistant perform an intricate purification ritual to get rid of the girl's disturbing symptoms, supernatural and demonic terror threatens their lives and souls. The Exorcist has many good examples of physical dialogue in the movie. Even the cover of The Exorcist is an awesome example of verbal dialogue not being the only way to make a horror movie a true horror movie.

 “The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us.” Vocal and Physical dialogue akes for frightening communication, but it also takes good editing and flashing effects to create a good horror movie.

         The Conjuring has distinguished editing and flashing effects, The Conjuring is about Paranormal investigators and demonologists Lorraine and Ed Warren are summoned to the home of Carolyn and Roger Perron.

       In the movie, the Perrons and their five daughters have recently moved into a secluded farmhouse, where a supernatural presence has made itself known. Though the manifestations are relatively benign initially, events soon escalate horrifyingly, especially after the Warrens discover the house's macabre history.

        A quote from this classic is “The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow.” 

Speaking of classics, The Terrifier is a classic horror movie. The Terrifier is about a crazy clown who stalks and tries to kill three women in a wretched old apartment building on Halloween night. One of the killer quotes from this movie is “Can you help me, please? Who are you? How the hell did you get in here? You have to come with me now. There's a dead woman in your basement.” Halloween movies have great editing and flashing effects, and grim dialogue to show who they are, like Scream, Halloween, Terrifer, The Exorcist, and The Conjuring. 

By Laila Hogan

Trick-or-Treating can be dangerous if you let it be, but if you follow these rules, then you can stay safe and have fun! A huge rule would be to stay with your family. It’s great to stay with your parents and siblings because your guardian needs to know where you are at all times, especially in the dark. If you see your friends and want to hang out with them, make sure you tell your guardian if you're leaving. You would never want to leave your parents without telling them, and cause them to be scared that they lost you. 

Another safety rule would be to not walk alone by yourself while you’re Trick-or-Treating. That is a very important rule because anyone can snatch you up, even if you live in a safe neighborhood. Someone needs to know where you are at all times, and besides, if you're with friends and family it will make it more fun!

 Our last safety rule is to not follow strangers, and don’t do what they tell you to do. People can be really nice, but if you don’t really know them, then you should keep your guard up. If you're at a house knocking on the door for candy, and the nice homeowner gives you candy and asks you to come inside their house, your answer should be, NO! If you don’t know them, or even if you do, you should not go into their house especially if your guardian doesn’t know. Oh, and also, if a stranger tells you to follow them, don’t listen. They can be trying to lead you into a dangerous situation, which is not safe. 

Overall, Trick-or-Treating can be fun and safe at the same time. Have fun and stay with your family at all times. Happy Halloween!