The same meal at Thanksgiving has been eaten for centuries: roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and a number of sides, usually mashed potatoes with gravy and green beans. To change it could be considered ludicrous. USAO’s students weighed in on what they might change about the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Perhaps the most popular change was to the traditional turkey as the main meat. Many people said they would change it to ham. Senior Skylar Garneau adamantly said we should have ham instead of turkey, and freshman Audri Lopez echoed his point. Freshman Clay Edwards preferred a mix of chicken and ham instead of the classic meat.

Sides are loved by many when it comes to Thanksgiving, which is why some students prefer there to be only sides and nothing else. Sophomore Emily Loughridge said we should have only sides, and so did freshman Karmen Jaramillo. Freshman Rhiannon Allen wants more of a focus on all the sides, while others prefer only stuffing and nothing else.

Unique changes were also heard from the students. Freshman Brandon Brown would love Thanksgiving to be a large pizza party, while freshman Benjamin Huff wants Sonic to cater Thanksgiving dinner.

“We should make it to where you go to a good restaurant instead of eating at home.” said freshman Hannah Woodhouse.

However, there are some who think Thanksgiving is just as fine as it is. Turkey and sides are too loved to be changed for some students. Senior Caleb Smith believes it is perfect as it is, and so does freshman Angel Tyson. Junior Riley O’Dell also wants to keep the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Whatever meal is eaten on Thanksgiving, it can be a unique experience if these changes were made.

Paul Tointigh is a third-year Communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.