SIOUX CITY | Ceron Bridges, 6, has definite opinions on what he likes about Thanksgiving.
The Holy Cross School -- St. Michael Center kindergartner is fond of pumpkin pie but can't stand the avalanche of televised football games that interfere with his Turkey Day.
"Nope, don't like football at all," Ceron said with disdain.
Those may be considered fighting words to Ceron's classmate Parker Robinson.
"I like football on Thanksgiving Day," Parker, 5, said. "I may even play football if the weather's nice."
Is there already controversy afoot inside an elementary school classroom? Hopefully not. But there's a lot these kindergarten through second-grade kids have to be thankful for.
It's an easy question for Fabiola Lemos, 7, to answer.
People are also reading…
"I'm thankful for my family and my friends," said Fabiola.
Is she thankful for anything else? Absolutely.
"I'm thankful for the food we eat on Thanksgiving," Fabiola said.
That got the attention of Shannon Fravel, 7, who listed off such food faves as turkey, green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy.
"There's so many good things to eat," said Shannon with a smile.
While Francie Fairchild, 6, doesn't help her mom with the cooking, she said her older sister Marygrace does.
"Some day I'll help out too," said Francie somewhat cryptically. "But not now."
Like his classmate Francie, John Fey, 7, is more of a Thanksgiving gourmet than a gourmand. However, the Holy Cross -- St. Michael Center first grader is very open-minded when it comes to Turkey Day grub.
Do you need to eat just Thanksgiving foods on Thanksgiving or can you mix things up with a pizza on occasion?
"Pizza's fine on Thanksgiving," John replied. "You can have whatever you like."
Phew, that's a relief. But can you do anything you want to do? Shannon Fravel thinks so.
"I like playing tag and hide-and-seek with my family," she said.
Is Shannon good at it?
"I think I am," she said.
Second grader Cole Frese said he'll spend quality time with his family but might also sneak away for a movie.
"I wanna see 'Trolls,'" Cole, 8, said. "That looks like it'll be a fun movie."
However, Victoria Tornell, 5, is all about another Thanksgiving tradition.
"I love watching parades on TV," she said, adding she's particularly enamored by the big balloon floats during the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Venturing further, Victoria said that while Thanksgiving is best known for the food and the parades, she also likes the day off from school.
But the real reason she likes the holiday is because it allows her to spend time with her family and friends.
"That's the important part," Victoria said.
Listening to his classmate, Ceron Bridges couldn't help but agree. Still, his pigskin aversion remained just as strong.
"I like Thanksgiving too," he concluded. "Just as long as it doesn't involve football."
