Cupid's Arrows Have Little Sting at B-CC
Valentine's Day is not the big holiday for teens as it is for adults.
Hardly anyone would say that love is in the air at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School around Valentine’s Day. Maybe they’d say that hormones are in the air. But certainly not anything romantic.
I’m not saying that there are no couples. One need only walk by the third-floor “A” hallway between classes to be mortifyingly reminded of that fact. Yet, I could hardly count this thrashing about against the hallways as true love.
Here, Valentine’s Day is more of a financial than a romantic opportunity.
The fun begins Monday the 13th, with senior SGA-sponsored speed dating in the cafeteria. Most of us are conflicted between wanting to help the leukemia and lymphoma society and, well, speed dating. They’ve tried to assuage our fears by declaring it will be a fun, casual event where you can dress up in a weird hat or funky glasses.
For those of us who somehow don’t find a Valentine’s Day date in speed dating, have no fear. On Tuesday the 14th, the SGA (for $3) will give a person a list of the names of people whom he or she is most and least compatible with in the school.
This information, however, is based on a survey we took in class a few weeks ago, and many of those who actually turned in the survey completed it as a joke. Sadly, this may mean that more love will go unrequited this Valentine’s Day.
The National Honors Society will also be having its annual Valentine’s Day “candy gram” sale. For $1, many people send their Valentines, friends or people they want to embarrass a lollipop with an attached message slip. Top gossip on Valentine’s Day is who got a candy gram and, more importantly, who sent it.
Of course, couples still do celebrate Valentine’s Day, though it is not nearly as extravagant a holiday as projected in the adult world.
The biggest Valentine’s Day stressor is what to get your significant other. Most girls get their boyfriends candy, “because it’s really awkward to get them anything else." “I usually spend around $20,” one student said.
Common presents from boys to girls are chocolates, roses, stuffed animals, inexpensive jewelry and cards. Girls break the typical high-maintenance stereotype on Valentine’s Day.
“We just expect them to acknowledge that it’s Valentine’s Day,” said another student.
Thus, Valentine’s Day at B-CC is no movie moment. People know better than to be (or believe in) “secret admirers,” and handmade Valentines are very much elements of our past.
It has morphed into a day that some stress about, but which more use as an excuse to eat large amounts of chocolate.
