Celebrating Different Holidays

With the Holiday season fast approaching, families are making arrangements to get together, to share one another’s company, and to reflect on their heritage and culture during this special time of year. Many students here at Davis celebrate holidays outside of Christmas during the holiday season. Some because of their heritage and others just to try to get a better view into other cultures
Micah Johnson, sophomore, celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah with his family. Micah comes from a long line of proud Jewish heritage, and his family values taking the time each year to celebrate a holiday that is deeply rooted within them.
“I enjoy remembering who I am and where I came from,” said Johnson. He hopes to continue this tradition on with his own family some day.
Jimmy Stevenson, senior, also celebrates Hanukkah with his family, although he admitts they aren’t very orthodox about it. “We do all the cliché stuff, it’s mainly just a time to get together with my family,” said Stevenson. “It’s a really spiritual experience. Feeling like you’re part of something with such a long history is pretty cool. Plus the food is fantastic.”
Abbey Porter, senior, started celebrating Hanukkah a few years ago to get another look into different cultures.
“I wanted to be more culturaly diverse,” said Porter.
She’s even recruted her family to join her.
“We make pancakes, make dreidels on the first night, and take turns lighting the menorah each night,” said Porter.
What Porter finds most important though is that she and her family continue to be open to other cultures and traditions.
“I want to continue practicing diversity with my own family. I want them to understand all religions and cultures,” said Porter.
Erick Resek, senior, celebrates Three Kings Day with his family, to remember and celebrate his Argentine heritage. He feels it’s important because it reflects his religious beliefs. He says that getting gifts from the Three Wise Men is much more meaningful than getting them from Santa.