A Crossroads Thanksgiving

“The gauntlet has been thrown,” announced beloved P.E. teacher and “ace news correspondent” Daryl Roper in a “special report” to the Crossroads community the week before Thanksgiving break. The annual Turkey Showdown was set to take place, Nov. 15-19, challenging Elementary, Middle, Upper School families to compete to donate the most frozen turkeys and canned goods for their division. While bragging rights would go to the winning division, the much-needed meal items would be gifted to Westside Food Bank, the People Concern and families at Hillcrest Drive Elementary in South LA.

Always up for a friendly competition, the Crossroads community stepped up to the challenge. The bins placed along 21st Street and on Norton Campus during drop-off and pick-up quickly filled to the brim with Thanksgiving staples. By midweek, Crossroads families had already donated more turkeys than the record total of years past. But the Elementary School took a commanding lead with their turkey donations, and they could not be caught. In the end, the families of our youngest students donated 163 of the total 279 turkeys.

Daryl spoke with Interim Head of Elementary School Sasha Moore after the event. “Student Council, thank you for setting the goal of getting two turkeys every day from every classroom. I am so proud of and grateful for all of our kiddos and families,” shared Sasha.

The Turkey Showdown was not the only opportunity for students to challenge themselves in the name of giving. On Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18 and 19, the Middle School P.E. teachers held optional Turkey Trots for seventh and eighth graders along the beach in Santa Monica. For every student who completed the two-mile course, the School donated a meal to Union Rescue Mission in downtown LA. Over the two days, 163 students walked, jogged, ran and trotted over the finish line, meaning the same amount of Thanksgiving meals were donated. 

“I don’t think I would have done it if it was just ‘run two miles … for nothing,’” said eighth grader Lucas Odero after the trot. “It was great that I was able to do this and help people at the same time.”

Be sure to check the Roadmap for other opportunities to support the greater community before winter break.