Thursday 28th November: THANKSGIVING at Sainte-Marie!

The ten pupils now in première section euro at Sainte-Marie who went to the US last summer so enjoyed their trip that they have decided to share their experience with you! They have chosen to share an important American tradition: Thanksgiving. You may be familiar with it, but the boys want to do things a bit differently…

1620: the Pilgrim Fathers came from Southhampton in England aboard the Mayflower and settled in what became Plymouth. But life in the colony was very difficult and many died. Squanto, an Indian, gave them food. In 1621, Bradford, one of the leaders, decreed three days of “thanksgiving” to celebrate the first good crop by the sharing of a meal. Since then, this tradition has been celebrated each fourth Thursday of November in the USA.

Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Thursday 28^th of November in Sainte-Marie, just like in the USA.

There will be a typical Thanksgiving meal of stuffed turkey with sweet potato mash, followed by a delicious donut (because we know you love ‘em!).

The afternoon will be fun: you will be able to discover three typical American sports: basketball, baseball and dodgeball. Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of nine players who take turns batting and fielding. Dodgeball is a game in which players on two teams try to throw large balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves; Basketball  is a sport played by two teams and the objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop.

Maybe you are unfamiliar with these sports and their rules seem to be complex, but the guys are reassuring : “We want everybody to participate, our objective is for you to have a lot of fun and you share good moments with your friends. We have got everything ready : there will be two speakers to blast out comments and music, and two referees disguised as… oh but that’s a surprise!” The work has been long and painstaking, butthat’s the price to pay so that YOU can have a great time!

One last thing: there will be two star guests coming for lunch! We are sure you will spot them very easily… If you want to know more about their careers, you can come to listen to the live interview in the Mars room at 13:00! Article by Bérénice and Margaux!