Entering the Warrior Bowl on Friday, Nov. 14, the sunset frames the shadows of students playing soccer, lying in the grass, or tossing frisbees. This was the start to one of the most anticipated International Baccalaureate (IB) events of the year: Grateful Gathering. An event split between games, outdoor fun with friends, and a Thanksgiving-themed feast in the cafeteria, hundreds of IB students gathered to enjoy the night of festivities.

Coordinated by the IB Student Organization (IBSO), the event served as a relaxing celebration before the IB students’ trip to Outdoor School, which would take place the following week.

“I think [this event made me] more excited for Outdoor School,” Ilia Iliev ‘26 said. “I liked [getting] to see both the students and teachers outside of the classroom experience, and I think [at Outdoor School] we can [experience] that further.”

In the first portion of the event, attendees were provided with a large range of activities, including football, soccer, volleyball, and frisbee. Some students quickly chose their favorite games, splitting into groups and starting intense competitions. Others took the opportunity to socialize and soak in a moment of calm with friends and teachers, a rare prospect amid the busy culture of Westwood.

“I loved just getting to talk to people over dinner and spending time outside,” Uma Sthanu ‘26 said. “There was definitely a sense of community in the air.”

Following the excitement of the games, IB students slowly made their way into the cafeteria. Decorated with a photo booth, Thanksgiving-themed props, and streamers, many paused to snap pictures commemorating the occasion, posing with adornments such as sunglasses and a picture of a turkey. Topping off the recreation were boxes of multicolored string and beads across tables, ready to be made into friendship bracelets.

“I think connecting with other IB members was the [best part] of Grateful Gathering,” Sthanu said. “There are some IB students I haven’t had classes with this year, so meeting them again at Grateful was really nice.”

Even with these delightful side activities, most IB students were more focused on the far end of the cafeteria, where parent volunteers were briskly setting up the tables of food — the true highlight of the event. The enormous meal, laid out across over five cafeteria tables, included Thanksgiving classics such as turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole as well as culturally diverse dishes such as japchae, samosas, and risotto. The dessert was also curated, with a large portion of the treats baked independently by IB student Grace Xiang ‘26.

“I was so happy that the hours [spent baking] were worth it once I saw that all my desserts had been devoured and my trays were empty,” Xiang said. “It made me even happier to hear that people I didn’t even know were coming up to me to tell me they were grateful I made gluten-free options.”

Full from the plentiful dinner, IB students ended the night with a collective, humorous Kahoot game on the program’s teachers and inside jokes. Giggling through the friendly competition, many people found themselves finishing the night with new friends and unforgettable memories.

“Grateful Gathering brings an opportunity to not only be grateful for each other, but [also for] our IB program [that] brought us to be close to each other in the first place,” Xiang said. “There are so many experiences that IB students share, whether it’s studying late into the night for the next bio quiz or going to fun events such as the [Extended Essay] party or this gathering, [and] it all reinforces how IB is something special in all our lives.”