Some Galileo students want cinnamon rolls, chocolate fountain for Thanksgiving

The third graders in Paul Longshore’s class have a few things in common: they’re thankful for friends and family and most want macaroni and cheese for Thanksgiving.

They would also like cinnamon rolls, beef Wellington and a chocolate fountain added to the holiday menu.

With the help of Longshore, learning facilitator at Galileo Academy School of Gifted and Talented Education in Victorville, students shared their likes, dislikes and preferences about the holiday.

While many students shared their mutual dislike of turkey, Sabrina is looking forward to her first bite of the Thanksgiving center piece. She also loves her grandmother’s traditional dish of “pan con pollo,” a dish that includes placing chicken and vegetables inside bread.

Besides being thankful for her family, Sabrina said she’s also grateful for her life, her savior and the things her parents have provided her.

Sabrina also added that Christmas is her favorite holiday because it’s a time when she can spread her joy and because “it’s the birth of Jesus.”

Beef Wellington, please

Angel said he’d like to eat mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, white rice and beef Wellington, a dish that he’s heard about and would like to try for the first time.

Chef Gordon Ramsay described traditional beef Wellington as an English recipe that consists of a beef tenderloin wrapped in layers of pâté, duxelles (a finely chopped mushroom mixture), parma ham, and puff pastry, then baked.

Rumor has it that beef Wellington got its name from Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, who counted the dish among his favorite recipes, according to Ramsay’s masterclass.

Angel does not like potato salad because “my family uses mayonnaise" in the recipe.

When it comes to being grateful, Angel said, “I’m thankful for my family and my teachers for teaching me stuff.”

Bring on the cinnamon rolls

Ashley said she’s thankful for her family “because they are kind and helpful.” Also, for teachers, good grades, things and friends.

When it comes to Thanksgiving dishes, her favorites are turkey, salad and rice, with her least favorite being greens and soup. She’d also like cinnamon rolls added to the holiday food lineup.

Ashley said her favorite holiday is Christmas “because we celebrate when baby Jesus was born.” Her second favorite is Easter “because we celebrate when Jesus made a sacrifice for us.”

Thankful for ‘a roof over my head’

Ariza shared her thankfulness for “family and friends and that I’m lucky enough that I have a roof over my head.”

She said she loves turkey, pumpkin pie and macaroni and cheese. She also does not have a least favorite food, and will eat anything on the Thanksgiving table because food “costs lots of money.”

Ariza’s favorite holiday is Christmas because of opening Christmas presents, getting “good news from her elf, “Elfy.” She knows that Santa is watching over her, she's on his good list and it’s Jesus’ birthday.

Secret ingredients, love and extra cheese

Arlene is skipping mashed potatoes, but is excited for the turkey because her mom "makes it with love.” She added that she’s thankful for her family and that her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Cassidy, who is thankful for her parents, her dog, her home and food, added that when it comes to the holidays, she’s not a fan of ham. However, her favorite dish is macaroni and cheese because “Dad puts extra cheese in it.”

Naevia shared that she is thankful for family and that turkey is her favorite food because “it’s the best in the whole wide world.”

How about a chocolate fountain?

Abby emphatically stated that she’s not a fan of “burnt turkey” because it tastes “bad !!!!!!” Her favorite dish is ham and she’d like a chocolate fountain added to the Thanksgiving menu. She is thankful for TV, soccer, food, her dog, her dad, her papa and Ivana.

J.R. is thankful for family, food, life and soccer. His favorite holiday edibles are turkey, gravy and drinks. He’d also like to see ham and apple and pumpkin pie on the Thanksgiving table.

Benjamin said he’s thankful for food, especially turkey. He’d also like to see macaroni and cheese on the table.

Julian is thankful for family and food, and gathering to eat turkey, a ”family tradition since 1947.” His favorite holiday is Christmas because he get to eat "same stuff” that he had on Thanksgiving.

Ivan said his favorite Thanksgiving dish is tamales and corn, and his least favorite turkey because it’s “too chewy.” He’d also like to see cookies added to the menu. He’s thankful for family, friends and life. 

Adrian is thankful for food and family. His favorite holiday dishes are pumpkin pike, turkey and macaroni and cheese “because my mom makes it.” He’d also like to see pizza on the holiday table.

Principal Conor Devlin wants his turkey deep fried

Galileo Principal Conor Devlin loves nearly everything served at Thanksgiving.

“My wife makes a delicious family macaroni and cheese dish that we all love,” Devlin said. “My mom and grandma always make cornbread stuffing from scratch that is my favorite too. I love those foods so much that I eat leftovers for as long as possible after Thanksgiving.”

Devlin shared how he particularly loves turkey when it's cooked in a deep fryer.

“It tastes so good this way," he said. "I have a friend who does it this way every year and it is mouth-watering good.”

He also said he feels very blessed to have a family who supports him and brings him joy every day.

“I'm thankful to have a wonderful job with the best students, staff, and families,” Devlin said. “Each year, I feel that I have more and more to be thankful for. Waking up each day is a blessing.”

Devlin said that his favorite holiday is the Fourth of July. It's a fun day of celebrating with friends and family, especially the ones living in Montana.

‘Mr. Longshorts’ does not like string beans

Longshore, or “Mr. Longshorts,” as his students called him, said his favorite Thanksgiving food is leftover turkey sandwiches, made with rolls, turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes.

If he had it his way, he'd eat a whole Costco pumpkin pie covered in whipped cream, he said. He also avoids any dish with string beans.

Longshore said he’s most grateful for his wife, Jesus, America, and his "amazing job working to inspire third graders.”

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: Galileo students want cinnamon rolls, chocolate fountain for Thanksgiving