Zachary Qin

Students compete in the three-legged race. “Hopefully [the Turkey Games] become a tradition,” 2026 Class Council President Justin Kim said. “Community building is always great.”

Three, two, one, go! Students raced across the gym, hoping to finish first in each race during the Turkey Games. On Nov. 22, the 2026 Class Council hosted the Turkey Games, held in Gym 1 and the Auditorium lobby, also called the Audlob, during 8th periods. The games combined friendly competition and food before Thanksgiving break. It featured four races: a four-person relay race, a three-legged race, a ping-pong ball balance race and crabwalk. 

“[The Turkey Games] are a new idea. We usually try to host an event, like a class fundraiser, before winter break. This was our idea for that event,” 2026 Class Council President Justin Kim said.

Tickets to participate were initially priced at $1, but on the day of the games, they became free. 

“We want to encourage people to come without worrying about costs,” Kim said. “Our main moneymaker is actually the food we’re selling [in the Audlob].”

While fundraising was an important goal, there was more of an emphasis on the importance of bringing students together.

“It’ll be fun seeing the people turn out,” 2026 Class Council senator Michelle Zuo said. “It’s supposed to be a community-building event. Having people come together before  Thanksgiving and winter break [to] relax would be great.”

Planning for large events like this starts over a month in advance. It required lots of coordination between the 2026 Class Council, sponsors and administration.

“We chose [the] Gym and [the] Audlob to [hold the Turkey Games] in. Then, we would talk to our sponsors and the administration to see if we can reserve that [8th period],” Kim said. “We figured out what we [wanted] to sell and what we [wanted] to do, the prices and a schedule. It begins with getting approval, and then the advertisement at the very end.”

The participants brought lots of energy and excitement to the Turkey Games. Junior Jo-Jo Forson, who won multiple games, shared why he decided to attend.

“I heard the attraction of fun games and food. I came with my friends as well, so I just saw it as a good time to bond together,” Forson said.

Many students enjoyed the Turkey Games, either racing or cheering on their friends.

“The [best] part of today was being able to participate in the relays with my friends,” freshman Lilyann Wong said. “I also got to see my friends fall during the three-legged race and my team almost won the relay race.”