When Peterson Elementary teacher Mylea Olesen asked her first-graders how they wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving, they all agreed there should be a feast with family invited.

Olesen then asked them how they could make the celebration meaningful. The students came up with the idea to write about and draw a picture of a person for whom they are thankful.

 On Nov. 16, students and family gathered in the classroom, sitting at tables decorated with student-made pine-cone turkey decorations and bags filled with treats.

Students lined up in the front of the classroom to sing four Thanksgiving tunes including “Take a Turkey Out to Lunch,” they learned in music teacher Paul Lovett’s class.

“We had a great time planning,” Olesen said.

Each first-grader then took a turn reading about the people they were thankful for while Olesen projected drawings for the audience to see.

“They wanted to write about so many people,” Olesen said, “They could only choose one person that they’re thankful for and they wanted me to specially tell everybody that it was a hard decision to make; so when they were deciding who they wanted to talk about, they chose somebody they don’t often tell and want to tell more.”

Seven-year-old Miller Bushnell wrote about his grandfather Jim Miller, after whom he is named. Bushnell’s grandfather, grandmother and mother were in attendance.

“One person I am so thankful for is my Papa. I am thankful because he is so thankful for me,” Bushnell read to classmates and guests. “My Papa is actually thankful for everything he has. He always invites me over when I ask. My favorite thing to do is get more license plates for my room from him. My Papa has a lot of license plates. I love, love, love my Papa because he is so good-hearted.”

Collecting license plates is a hobby Miller shares with his grandson. Miller began collecting license plates during his 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. Bushnell started decorating his room with the license plates.

“I have two Montana ones, I have a Mississippi one, I have an Idaho one,” Bushnell said. “My favorite is a Glacier National Park Montana one.”

Bushnell will spend Thanksgiving with his family at his grandparents’ home. His favorite part of Thanksgiving is definitely turkey.

Six-year-old Amelia Kunda read about her brother Jesse Jr. Her father, Jesse Sr., was smiling in the audience.

“One person in my life I am so thankful for is my brother,” Kunda read. “I am thankful because he is nice when I am hurt. My brother is also very thankful for me too especially when I help him make a Transformer. That is why I am so thankful for my special and loving brother.”

Kunda said her brother recently turned 5 and will be attending the same school next year, which Kunda thinks will be fun.

Kunda’s favorite part of thanksgiving” “Having our feast and spending time” with family.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].