Thanksgiving & the Return of Our Beloved Mascot

By Kimberly Cruz

The smells drift from the kitchen one by one. Steaming, warm pumpkin and apple pies have just been pulled from the oven. Is that cinnamon, too? Mmm, yes! Bubbling, hot sweet potatoes join the pending feast. Green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and stuffing combine their scrumptious scents to the mix. But the smell that completes this scene is that delicious, juicy turkey. It’s nearly done, and then the feasting can begin. Can you smell it? Can you taste the delectable tastes? 

Perhaps your holiday dinners look, taste, and smell a little different, but the bottom line is that this time of year holds a lot of cozy, warm, and happy memories for many. Our cafeteria staff makes every effort to replicate this warm, cozy, and delicious memory for our HIS family.

This Thanksgiving is a little extra special in that we have the privilege to share a new arrival with you. While I could take some time to try and find a proper re-introduction of our beloved school mascot, I think he would do a better job at it. So, without further adieu—take it away, atsá!

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Hi! My name is Eli the Eagle and I am a new student here at Holbrook Indian School. Technically, I am the school mascot, but shh! Don’t say that too loud. I’m trying to blend in! Eli is short for Elijah. I got the name because in the Diné (Navajo) culture, the eagle is considered a messenger, and Elijah, from the Bible, was one of God’s messengers.

My purpose in being here is to learn alongside my fellow peers and to show how a Christ-centered education teaches me, and my friends, our school values of respect, gratitude, and kindness—both on and off campus. Most of all, I am excited to be at a Christian school where I can learn more about God.

Our development department will be tracking my progress, which is directly related to your gifts, during this giving season and our GivingHISday campaign. 

Give now and watch my progress as I learn, grow, and thrive on my journey through a Christ-centered education here at HIS. Follow me at: holbrookindianschool.org/ghd2025. 

I enjoyed being of service at our Thanksgiving Banquet for our students and HIS families. I helped to dismiss tables, and at one point I got distracted from my duties by the dessert table. It smelled soooo good!

I’ll be here all year long, so be sure to look for me at future HIS events! See you soon!