By Caitlin Duke
Ranger Reporter
For many, holidays traditionally include time for family, food, shopping and volunteering. Even with all those things, Amarillo College students still make time for their own traditions.
“My favorite thing to do during the holidays is hang out with my brother and sister at my mom’s house,” said Macy Valdez, a pre-nursing major. “Then we go to my dad’s house and we watch the Christmas Story.”
Some students said they like the break from the hustle and bustle of school and work and focus on Christmas traditions such as putting up a tree or watching a movie. But broad diversity of cultures in the United States that celebrate holidays different from Christmas also can be seen among AC students. Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that is celebrated on the last days of Ramadan.
“I celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which is somewhat like Christmas but lasts longer than just a day,” said Yousif Fauzi, a cyber security and networking major. “A lot of family comes into town, and we go out to dinner. When I was younger, I received a lot of gifts.”
Black Friday, an unofficial American shopping holiday, is known for the people who camp outside retail stores the day after Thanksgiving in order to snag some good sales. Black Friday recently has become a huge part of the holidays, and several students said they participate in the chaotic shopping spree by either working the event or standing outside for hours or days.
“I work Black Friday at a local retail store, and even though it is chaotic, I absolutely love it,” said Haley Lintner, a general studies major.
For those students who are searching for a new tradition, there are other ways to spend their holiday vacation. Students can volunteer at the local food bank or at animal shelters. Every year, the Salvation Army has an Angel Tree where locals can select a child represented by an angel to buy Christmas presents for.
Students also can volunteer at local churches and other nonprofit organizations.
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