Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine. Now, we simply refer to it as “the day of love.” As the day approaches, it is difficult to forget that it’s coming up. Store shelves are decorated in elaborate pinks, reds and whites. Chocolates are available on every shelf and little stuffed teddy bears with gushy messages, ranging in sizes, are waiting to be picked up for a significant other.
On this day, elementary schoolers get almost the full day off, exchanging candy with little notes and stubbing down their little red and pink crayons for holiday-themed crafts. But how do our students celebrate, when the tests and assignments don’t stop for the holiday of love?
Valentine’s Day fell on a Friday this year, a perfect opportunity for couples to spend the weekend together and go out for a romantic dinner. Senior Marissa Cook and her boyfriend were “planning on going skiing for the weekend at Deep Creek. We will probably go to dinner after and celebrate Valentine’s Day together.”
Junior Ksusha Ulyanova and her boyfriend, “went to dinner at Clyde’s, he got me a stuffed animal, roses, chocolates, and a card.”
English teacher Madeline Osgood said, “Me and my husband went out to dinner, a Mexican and Fusion place. Then we went to watch ‘Love Hurts”,’ one of my favorite movies.”
Though students may have been surprised when they got home with roses and chocolates, some were surprised with a singing Valentine in one of their class periods. This year, a capella and the chamber choir maintained its annual tradition and performed singing Valentines for students who ordered a surprise for their friends. This year’s song choices ranged from “Baby,” by Justin Bieber (a popular choice) to “Just the Two of Us,” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.
A capella member and junior Grant McGraw said, “The singing Valentines was a crazy, tiring experience, running class to class you didn’t quite know who you would see next. Overall though it was so much fun singing with my friends, and I can’t wait for next year.”
Students chose to spend the day in other ways as well. Junior Alin Parikh said, “I helped my friend’s boyfriend get surprised, ate some chocolate strawberries and tried to stay off Instagram.”
Junior Gabriella Gbebry said, “I had an in-car, and then went home and made chocolate covered strawberries,” and junior Roshali Nemaya, “went home and hugged her mom.”
Junior Zoi Bourzani said, “I thought Valentine’s Day was really fun. I look forward to singing Valentines every day. I think it’s very unique and I enjoy how our school performs them.”
Although everyone spent their Valentine’s Day differently, there was an atmosphere of joy and laughter throughout the building that lifted spirits and brought love to students and teachers alike.
