St. Peter preschoolers hold Thanksgiving feast

Students and teachers at St. Peter Catholic School bow their heads in prayer before the preschool Thanksgiving feast on Thursday morning, Nov. 20. Children from all three preschool classes ate popcorn, apple slices, apple juice and dried cranberries to remember the first Thanksgiving celebrated by American Indians and Pilgrims. (Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Preschoolers at St. Peter Catholic School celebrated Thanksgiving early this year. Thursday morning, Nov. 20, the students gathered in the school gym to have a feast of popcorn, apple slices, apple juice and dried cranberries.

This is the first year all the preschool classes have remembered Thanksgiving together.

"We hope to make it a tradition," teacher Charity Eidson said.

In her class of 4- and 5-year-olds, Eidson has been discussing American Indians and Pilgrims and the role of children in Plymouth Colony. She said the Indians introduced corn to the Pilgrims, which is why the children were served popcorn at the feast. Principal Gary Littrell popped the corn himself.

Sara Lonaker, who teaches 3-year-olds, has also talked about the holiday with her class. They read "The First Thanksgiving" and have shared their plans to celebrate Thanksgiving outside of school.

All the preschoolers made Indian headdresses and Pilgrim hats in preparation for the event. Most of the students were dressed as Indians for the feast.

Of that choice Lonaker said, "They just like the feathers."

The children seemed to enjoy their midmorning snack and the opportunity to wear fun hats. They were eager for second helpings of popcorn and apples but not so keen on the dried cranberries.

"I'm really thankful for Thanksgiving," Paige Klinge said. "It's my favorite thing ever."

To see more pictures of the feast, visit our online gallery at http://www.marshallnews.com/gallery/3268...

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net