With the weather changing and fall creeping up on us, Academy has officially started Thanksgiving takeover. This event runs from November 5, 2025 to November 14, 2025. During Thanksgiving takeover, students bring in non-perishable goods like cereal, pasta, rice, etc. Aside from helping those in need, the grade that brings in the most goods earns spirit points.

This year, each class has been assigned a teacher. The teachers’ faces are posted on boards around the school and this is where each grade brings their donated goods. Seniors (class of 26) have been assigned Mr. Rodriguez, by the senior lounge. The juniors (class of 27) have been assigned Mrs. Phillips, located in the second floor south lounge. The sophomores (class of 28) have Mr. Quinn in the second floor main commons. Lastly, the freshman (class of 29) have Mr. Price, whose face is also in the second floor main commons.

This challenge also allows a certain grade to earn Ultimate Jag points. One way to earn an ultimate jag point is to build a food tower higher than your grades assigned to the teacher before anyone else. Another way is to have the most perishable goods overall at the end of the challenge. 

While these donations may seem small, they can make a huge impact in the community. Aside from the obvious benefit of putting food on people’s tables, these donations can keep food out of landfills. Reducing food can help people dramatically as food prices are going up. This makes it harder for people to afford the food they need.

For this donation challenge, we need to keep gratitude to exemplify our generosity. As a school we are fortunate ourselves and fortunate to be able to help others. By remembering the struggles of others in our community, we can realize that our duty is to help those in need any way we can. This idea exemplifies the true meaning of Thanksgiving takeover; to consider those in need and provide substantial parts of life they may not be able to obtain otherwise.

Currently, we are lacking in the amount of food we have brought in. As of today, November 7, 2025, there is a week left of Thanksgiving takeover. Use this as your inspiration to bring in food to help those in need in our community. This event is hosted by student council, golden girls, TLC, and Mission and Ministry; so any questions should be directed toward them. Lets make this last week of the challenge strong and embody the spirit of gratitude to help those in our community.