At Malcolm Shabazz City High School, "Homecoming" has nothing to do with football games, parades or kings and queens. It is truly a homecoming - for alumni, staff, students and their families. Each year Shabazz celebrates "Turkey Day," the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This celebration features a massive turkey dinner for over 200 people, a talent show, games and much celebrating. It is a time for reconnecting for the Shabazz community.

The Turkey Day dinner is organized by retired science teacher Gil Richardson. Everyone pitches in. But the event isn't just about sharing food. Students display their talents through music, poetry, and the arts in a day-long talent show. Shabazz Principal Sally Schultz notes, "It is wonderful to see a whole other side to our students... while the staff's talents are usually more comical."

Past Turkey Day's were marked by memorable fundraisers that involved some good-hearted ridicule of the principal. Sally Schultz has dyed her hair purple, been duct taped to a wall and subjected to a dunk tank in cold weather, all in the name of raising money for the Shabazz scholarship fund.

Each year, from far and wide, alumni return to Shabazz for Turkey Day like swallows to Capistrano. Staff looks forward to hearing how their former students are doing.

After the Talent Show everyone is encouraged to participate in a volleyball tournament, while the cooks prepare the turkey and fixings. When the food is ready, students and staff serve their guests. It is a full day of building community and giving thanks.

Shabazz Principal Sally Schultz dyed her hair purple for a Turkey Day fund-raising activity.

Part of the Turkey Day celebration is the Talent Show.