Forget the bird, High Desert kids want pizza, tacos, spaghetti for Thanksgiving

A Mariana Academy elementary student said that while her favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey, she's not a fan of pumpkin pie.

Raylene explained that turkey is her favorite holiday dish because she likes the large drumsticks and skin from the cooked bird. However, pumpkin pie "tastes like pumpkin guts,” she said.

With the help of Mariana Academy teacher Debbie McGee, Raylene, and her classmates shared their feelings about Thanksgiving with the Daily Press. Many of the Apple Valley students' thoughts included holiday meal preferences and dislikes and what they were grateful for this holiday season.

Raylene added that she’d like to see watermelon on the Thanksgiving menu because of its sweetness. She also expressed her thankfulness for her family, friends, pets, and school.

Grandma’s cranberries

One touching comment was written by Riley, who said cranberries are her favorite Thanksgiving dish because they were the favorite of her grandma who died.

Riley, who said she was thankful for her family and God, added that her least favorite food is some “macaroni stuff that is disgusting.”

“If I could have another food on Thanksgiving, I’d have deviled eggs with guacamole and hot peppers,” said Riley, whose favorite holiday is Christmas because she’ll receive presents.

Pizza for Thanksgiving

Emmalynn said if she could eat anything it would be pizza, but pie is OK to.

“I’m thankful for Jesus, my cat and my family," she said. "My favorite food is pie because it takes a lot of effort to make it. My least favorite is gravy because it gets on other stuff. My favorite holiday is Christmas because it’s Jesus’ birthday.”

Yarelzi like a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

“Turkey is my favorite because it’s what we always have," Yarelzi said. "My least favorite is cranberries because they are gross. I’d eat pizza if I could. Christmas is my favorite because I spend time with my family.”

Harry is thankful for family, toys, and Legos. If he could eat anything on Thanksgiving it would be pizza and tacos.

"My favorite food on Thanksgiving is steak because it tastes so good. My least favorite is turkey because I just don’t like it," Harry said. "My favorite holiday is Christmas because my family comes together and I’m so happy.”

Eggplant pie is ‘gross’

Jacob said this year he is thankful for family, friends, his animals and his home.

"My favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing with gravy. My least favorite food is eggplant pie because it’s gross," he said. "My favorite holiday is Christmas because you get presents and have fun.”

Nevaeh is thankful for reading class with Mrs. McGee, Mariana Academy, and her animals.

"My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey and cranberries and macaroni because my grandma makes her famous macaroni. My least favorite Thanksgiving food is skin on the potatoes. My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get toys, presents, and candy,” she said.

Isabella said she is thankful for her friends Nevaeh and Scarlet.

"My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey because it’s so yummy. My least favorite food is cranberries because they don’t taste that good," she said. "If I could have another food on Thanksgiving, I’d eat strawberries. My favorite holiday is Christmas because I am getting a new mermaid tail!”

Bring on spaghetti and tacos

Joelie said she likes her turkey with ketchup.

“I’m thankful for my family, my house, and my pets," Joelie said. "I’d rather have spaghetti on Thanksgiving because it’s my favorite. My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get presents from Santa."

Joel said, “I’m thankful for my family, my friends and Burger King. My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey and potatoes because I put gravy on them. My least favorite is steak. If I could have some other food I’d have pizza. My favorite holiday is Christmas because I want it to snow.”

Alice said she is thankful for her family.

“My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey because we only have it on Thanksgiving," she said. "Stuffing is my least favorite food because it stuffs my mouth. If I could have some other food I’d have pizza. My favorite holiday is Halloween because you can dress up.”

Berenice is a fan of all Thanksgiving fare.

“I’m thankful for my family and for playing. My favorite Thanksgiving food is cake because I help to make it. My least favorite Thanksgiving food is nothing because I like everything. If I could have some other food I’d have tacos.

Berenice said her favorite holiday is Christmas because "Santa gives you presents.”

Lorne said, “I’m thankful for my dog, my mom, and my dad. My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey because I like it. I don’t like stuffing. I’d have pizza if I could. My favorite holiday is Christmas because of Christmas trees.”

Thankful for family

Although Chris said he likes his mother's turkey, he could do without the stuffing.

“I’m thankful for my family, my TV, and my dog. My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey because inside the turkey is this yummy sauce my mom makes. My least favorite food is the stuffing because there’s vegetables in it. If I could have another food on Thanksgiving I’d have pizza. My favorite holiday is Christmas because it will snow,” he said.

Allyson said she is thankful for her family, toys, and friends.

"My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey because it’s yummy. My least favorite food is nothing because I like it all," she said. "If I could have something else it would be pizza. My favorite holiday is Christmas because you get a lot of presents.”

Asia is looking forward to eating mac and cheese this Thanksgiving.

“I’m thankful for my family, my dog and my house. My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey and mac and cheese because my mom makes it. My least favorite food is cake because it has too much frosting," Asia said. "If I could have different food I’d have only mac and cheese because it is my favorite! My favorite holiday is Christmas because Santa gives me presents. I’m on the good list!”

Like many Mariana Academy students, Angel doesn't like gravy.

“I’m thankful for my family, toys, and a trampoline," Angel said. "My favorite Thanksgiving food is mashed potatoes because my mom makes them. My least favorite food is gravy because it’s wet. I’d rather have pizza for Thanksgiving. My favorite holiday is Halloween because you go trick or treating and wear a costume.”

What are Mariana Academy staff are grateful for?

McGee, who has taught school for nearly 35 years, said that she’sthankful for her "Lord and Savior, Jesus" and also her family, friends, and church.

A professional dog handler, whose Pembroke Welsh Corgi was once ranked No. 1 in the nation, McGee said that she’s thankful for her corgis and the happiness they bring her.

When it comes to food, McGee shared that her favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing her least favorite is cranberries, mainly because she’s not into fruit. She added that she’d rather eat Mexican food.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday because it’s all about the birth of Jesus,” McGee said.

Principal Mariana Kim Lasko shared that she is thankful for family and a safe place to work with kids every day.

“My favorite Thanksgiving food is pecan pie because I remember making it with my mom and grandma as a child,” Lasko said. “There is no such thing as least favorite food at Thanksgiving. I’d have turkey tacos.”

Assistant principal Kristen Nichols said she’s thankful for the gift of time.

“My favorite Thanksgiving food is candied yams because they are so good,” Nichols said. “My least favorite is turkey and stuffing. I’d definitely have ham on Thanksgiving.

Nicholas said Christmas is her favorite holiday because “it’s the most cheery and the longest break from work.”

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Forget the bird, High Desert kids want pizza, tacos for Thanksgiving