What Valentine's Day Means to Students

Valentine's Day is one of the year's kindest and most love-filled days. Everywhere you look, you can see smiles and gifts being given. When you walk down the halls, you can see students wearing shades of pink and red, filling up the halls with color. On the outside of the teachers' doors, you can see little notes written to each individual to put a smile on their face. Throughout the day, you can see people giving flowers, notes, and all sorts of candies to their friends, significant others, and even some teachers. 

If you look down the halls and into some teachers' classrooms, you can see them decorated with hearts and shades of red and pink decor lighting up the room. Seeing the colors and the effort to make this day count makes my day and many other students. To some, this day is how they can show their love and appreciation for the people they care most about. But to a few, it's just another day. So, seeing the decorated school and the smiles makes the day better than any other boring day. 

Yet, the day isn't without its challenges. The pressure to have a perfect Valentine’s Day can lead to feelings of anxiety, pressure, and exclusion. Schools need to create an inclusive environment where all students feel valued, regardless of their relationship status. Promoting activities and a festive environment emphasizes relationships and kindness, which then could help reduce these pressures and ensure that everyone feels included.