By Hailie Vasquez
When most people think about December, there’s usually one thing that comes to mind– Christmas! Twinkling lights, aromatic cups of steamy hot chocolate, bright ornaments surrounding the tree, and cozying up next to the fireplace with family. These are all things that are associated with this cheery time of year, but what about the people that don’t celebrate this cherished holiday?
As the holiday season approaches, students and staff at Nyack High School prepare to celebrate traditions of all kinds. One student, Joshua Cruz, shared his experience celebrating Three Kings Day and what it means to him. “On January sixth, I celebrate Three Kings Day. Every member of my family recieves three gifts that are put under their bed, which represents the gifts that were put under Jesus’s manger. Then we eat food and listen to music that is native to my Hispanic culture, like bachata and merengue.”
Using the holidays as a time to connect with your culture is something that Synthia Salomon, a teacher at Nyack High School, can definitely relate to. She expressed what the holidays mean to her and how they connect her to her roots: “In December I celebrate Kwanzaa, which starts the day after Christmas. We light a candle each day that represents a different concept like faith or determination. Unlike Christmas, you have to actually make the gift that you give to someone else; it has to be completely original. This week-long celebration brings me back to my roots because it prompts me to practice the good deeds that are valued in West African culture.”
Another student, Eliana Katz, talked about the different customs she practices during Hanukkah. “My mom and I light the Menorah each night of Hanukkah and say prayers," she said. "Then we go to our synagogue’s Hanukkah party where they display latkes, jelly donuts, and different types of greasy food which pays homage to the miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights.”
When it comes to the Holidays, there are a lot of traditions that are underrepresented and become muffled behind the sound of Christmas cheer. But in a town like Nyack, where inclusivity is integrated into the daily lives of its residents, is this still the case?
One teacher at Nyack High School shared his thoughts on this matter. “I think all holidays are represented and celebrated in Nyack," said Mr. Mattsen. “More diversity is good for everybody; it helps people to learn about each other and become more empathetic of other people’s backgrounds and cultures.”
Mrs. Salomon agreed. “In Nyack every nationality is represented in some way. This community is almost like an authentic melting pot.”
While most students and staff at Nyack agree with this viewpoint, a student named Caroline Pierre suggests that maybe Nyack isn’t as different as some may think. She said, “When you go into a store during the holidays, you are bombarded with Christmas decorations and don’t usually see different holidays being represented.” Student Brooke Castaldo, chimed in: “Public places don’t usually represent holidays other than Christmas, which makes me feel left out as someone who celebrates Hanukkah. Even when you visit downtown Nyack to Starbucks, a jewelry store, or a nail salon, there’s nothing to represent other holidays!”
In a community like Nyack, where there’s so much diversity and inclusion, we can all learn from one another by sharing our traditions and customs whenever we have the chance. We are fortunate enough to be a part of a community where differences are celebrated and embraced, rather than rejected or ridiculed. This holiday season, take the time to ask your classmates about the different ways they spend the holidays. Overall, the holidays are a time when family and friends come together to celebrate festivities and honor traditions with one another, regardless of how you celebrate.