November 24 , 2022 The Beacon • 17

“ The class spent a week working on Thankful Lapbooks for Thanksgiving ,” she said . “ Our social and emotional learning standard this month goes hand in hand with our Character Strong program . Our students are currently working on

By Marianne Austin

For the first time in two years , guests were able to sit down and enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner at Coshocton High School instead of just coming to pick up meals .

“ It ’ s good to see the people coming in , interacting with the kids , and they enjoy doing it . Our dinner tonight has been financed through donations . There are placemats out with a list of all the donations printed on them ,” said Cathy Waibel , meal coordinator .

Principal Scot Loomis said , “ There is no taxpayer money . This is all fundraised with donations from the community and by our student body . The teachers give a donation through a jeans month , elementary students have a change war and they also raise hundreds of dollars for this event . We ’ re excited to have this back face to face and get people in our building . That ’ s what it ’ s about . It ’ s about community engagement and our students interacting with the community . In this day and age , people hear about the negative things , but there is a lot of great things happening at CHS , and I ’ m happy our students can interact with the

the concept of gratitude and all things they are thankful for here in the classroom , at home and individually within themselves .”

The lapbooks focused on people , places , foods and acrostic poems .

“ A few standouts in this activity were foods by Forrest Kibler ,” Walsh said . “ He is thankful for turkey drumsticks with a splash of hot sauce , French fries with a dash of

You Can Help Coshocton County United Way

Marianne Austin

Mia Lauvray , Courtney Snyder , Jessica Smith , Emme Jackson and Lilah Laaper helped check people in at the dinner .

black pepper and his most favorite food of all is burnt bacon .”

Brenell Williams is most thankful for people in her life . She mentioned her classroom teacher Mrs . Walsh , her parents , and her aunts and uncles .

We here at The Beacon hope you took time this month to reflect on what you are thankful for and that you have a very Happy Thanksgiving .

people .

“ The Coshocton Chamber Choir kids are singing in the commons area as the people come in . We have a lot of kids here . We have our NHS , our Key Club , Varsity C , our basketball team , FCCLA , our Junior High Interact Club , our elementary and high school Student Council that are helping . We have more than 100 kids working two shifts . We have 50 working right now , and about 6:15 p . m ., we have about 50 more coming in . So we have more than 100 kids volunteering for Community Day , and that ’ s great . That ’ s what it ’ s all about .”

Waibel said , “ There was no turkey this year because of the bird flu , the distributor said , so we ordered 60 hams . The dinner included green beans , mashed potatoes and gravy , a roll , and a pumpkin cupcake .”

Jennifer Andrews orders all of the food for this event . “ Everybody works together ,” she said . “ The cooks in addition to preparing school lunch are also getting this meal ready . But we have been doing it for so long it just flows .”

Mia Lauvray , Courtney Snyder , Jessica Smith , Emme Jackson and Lilah Laaper were helping guests at the door .

“ We are checking people in . Some people call , and some just come in , and we find a spot for them . I ’ ve helped before for the drive-in . That was a lot of cars ,” Laaper said .

Sophomores Maggie Laaper and Sophia Skelton with senior Hailey Helter were serving and clearing the tables .

“ This is the fourth year I have helped do this . The last two years were pickup outside . There are two shifts . Our shift started at 5 p . m . to set everything up , and the next shift comes in at 6:15 p . m . I really like doing it . You see the people in the community come out and have a meal together . It ’ s really nice to be able to serve ,” Helter said .

Two-year-old Presley Grace Spratt was enjoying her meal with her mom Amber Sells and her grandma Julie Sells .

“ We come every year . I went to school here . I like to see teachers and friends I used to play with at recess ,” Amber Sells said .

Julie Sells said , “ It ’ s wonderful what they do for the community .”

740-622-0010 220 South 4th Street , Coshocton www . coshoctonfoundation . org

BF-44521

William Given Funeral Director

Robert Given Funeral Director

Jessica Paisley Funeral Director

Kate Jackson Funeral Director

BF-66804