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The DWB Rookies Share Favorite Christmas Traditions
12/22/2017 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
By Lily Hiser, Duke Sports Information Student Assistant
DURHAM, N.C.-- As final semester exams draw to a close and Duke University's campus becomes quieter and quieter with the departure of students, the freshmen student-athletes on Duke's women's basketball team took a moment to reflect on some of their favorite holiday memories.
What is the first thing on the freshmen's minds for when they return home? The homemade food that comes with the season. Whether the dishes are savory or sweet, each player's family has special traditions when it comes to their favorite holiday foods.
“Every year on Christmas we always have Mexican food,” says Jayda Adams. “The tamales and rice, hands down, are all I want to eat.”
Eating the delicious food is just one part of the tradition, as Adams' family spends the entire day together preparing dishes for both Christmas breakfast and dinner.
Jade Williams' family also enjoys cooking together, making a traditional oyster soup each year. Switching off between her family's house and her uncle's house, the families take turns hosting dinner and preparing the meal. For Madison Treece, her family's food traditions are about all about the sweets.
“We do tons of holiday baking,” said Treece. “It's great eating.”
On the top of her list of favorites are Buckeyes, a sweet concoction her mother makes of peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and chocolate. Adams' and Williams' savory dishes are also complemented by deliciously sweet treats. Homemade popcorn and some addicting homemade toffee are made by Williams' family, while Adams' grandmother makes Rocky Road, a mixture of chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows.
Even more important than the delicious food and tasty treats is the quality family time each player plans on spending once home. Mikayla Boykin is looking forward to watching Christmas movies, especially Home Alone, with her family, as well as participating in their competitive Uno tournament. Although she's never won the intense competition, Boykin loves the time that her family spends together. Both Adams and Treece enjoy receiving a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. Williams loves acting as Santa's helper and wrapping presents, which are opened one at a time in order from youngest to oldest on Christmas Day.
While the players have plenty of old traditions to enjoy when they return home, the freshmen were excited to celebrate Christmas with their teammates at Duke. This year, the team shared dinner at head coach Joanne P. McCallie's house before exchanging Secret Santa gifts. A combination of new and old for the freshmen on Duke women's basketball team is sure to make this Christmas season especially memorable and bright.
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