Thomas County Central High School students and staff are dedicating feathers to a “naked” turkey. These helpings of gracious gratitude are building a special creation called the “Thankful Turkey,” just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Bethany Hayes, an event organizer, credits the idea to fellow teacher, Christa Graham.

“The TCCHS Spirit Club was trying to come up with a way to do something for November to create an atmosphere of thankfulness,” Hayes said.

Hayes and fellow club sponsor Allison NeSmith decided to get into the Thanksgiving spirit by providing students the opportunity to give thanks to the adults in their school. From there, the idea only grew.

“In the days that we are living in, all the negative things happening, we wanted to do something positive and give everyone a chance to express their appreciation toward their teachers and coworkers,” NeSmith said.

NeSmith hopes the sight of these “feathers” will “lift the spirits” of those thanked and “make the person who wrote the feather feel good as well.”

Hayes is a believer.

“When you read some of the feathers and you realize that your students see the work that you do and that they appreciate you, as a teacher, it makes you want to come to work with a positive attitude and work for your students,” she said.

The “Thankful Turkey” gains new quills of acknowledgement daily.  As of Nov. 16, it had more than 200.

One feather thanks English teacher Kensey Edgar “…for teaching me 2 years ago. I now love lit because of you. Thanks for showing me what lit really is.”

Another feather’s writer is “sooo thankful for ‘Poppa D’ (TCCHS Dean of Students Frank Delaney Jr.). You are what TCCHS stands for: heart, pride, love, & dedication! We are thankful!”

By month’s end, the turkey will be plucked and its plumage spread across the school in an act of goodwill and thankfulness.

“It is always nice to be given a compliment and feel appreciated,” NeSmith said. “We all have so much to be thankful for!”