Fall traditions bring Holmes students closer to family, food, fun

As leaves crunch underfoot and the crisp scent of autumn fills the air, old traditions begin to resurface—gatherings around warm meals, shared stories and the comfort of family. For many students at Holmes, fall brings with it more than just a change in weather. It’s a season full of meaningful rituals, both new and old.

Freshman Elle Burke travels to Des Moines, every fall to spend time at her grandmother’s house.

“When I’m there, I mostly just hang out with my cousins,” Burke said. “We normally eat some homemade gravy because my grandma loves to make it.”

At Holmes, students are getting into the fall spirit through a schoolwide pumpkin decorating competition during their Tiger Time classes. Each class will decorate a pumpkin—without using traditional art supplies—by working with whatever materials are available in their rooms. The contest kicks off on Oct. 6, and pumpkins must be submitted by the start of Tiger Time on Oct. 24.

“I love decorating pumpkins,” Burke said. “I remember when my grandpa was alive—he sadly passed away a few years ago—we would have pumpkin carving competitions, and he would be the judge. It was one of my favorite fall memories.”

Freshman Leah Verdught also looks forward to fall for the comforting activities it brings—especially treats from the kitchen.

“My favorite fall activity is baking,” Verdught said. “I love to bake pumpkin-flavored things like pumpkin bars. I also really like making chai tea during fall because it sets the mood.”

Burke said that baking becomes a seasonal tradition in her household as well.

“I like to make blueberry pie as well as key lime pie,” she said. “A long time ago, my grandpa brought us a key lime pie when we were in South Carolina, and ever since then, we’ve made key lime pies whenever my family gets together for Thanksgiving.”

For Verdught, music plays an important role in capturing the fall atmosphere.

“I usually listen to instrumental piano,” she said. “I tend to prefer upbeat songs.”

Burke said her music choices shift as Halloween approaches.

“When it gets closer to Halloween, I start listening to Halloween-themed music,” she said. “‘Spooky, Scary Skeletons’ is one of my favorites, and I also like listening to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’”

Fall also brings a unique family tradition for Verdught: participating in a 5K with her grandparents.

“During fall, we go to visit my grandparents for a fall 5K,” she said. “It’s in Missouri, kind of like an hour away from Kansas City. We do the 5K any year that we can come down. My grandparents walk the 5K, but the rest of my family runs it.”