Love is in the air this February, and Lively has plenty of opportunities to celebrate it, specifically Valentine’s Day! Whether you are celebrating with your partner or just your best friend, Valentine’s Day is a special way to show how much you care. “I get my friends candy, kisses, and hugs,” said 8th grader Lucas Larson.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have one specific origin, and there are many different stories about how the day came to be. The most popular story, and the one I chose to believe, is the story of St. Valentine. This legend states that a man named St. Valentine went against his Emperor’s wishes and furtively married couples to keep the men out of the war. For this reason, he is seen as a symbol of love. St. Valentine died on the 14th of February, and so the day was named St. Valentine’s feast. Later, it adopted the name Valentine’s Day. The tradition of giving sweets and cards came from the UK, near the 17th century. Giving out confectionery, flowers, and cards to your loved ones was customary. By far, the most popular tradition at that time was the passing of Valentine’s cards. The Museum of London has a collection of extremely intricate cards from the 17th century. The more unique your card was the greater the amount spent, this was a sign of wealth and prestige.
According to Drive Research in 2024, Valentine’s Day sales hit a high record of 14.2 billion dollars and it is estimated this year 44% of Valentine’s shoppers will spend money on sweets, such as the popular heart-shaped box of chocolates. Here at Lively Middle School, we aren’t just celebrating with chocolates.
NJHS started a fundraiser to raise money for their program by selling candy grams during lunch periods. NJHS will specifically be using the money they receive from the candy grams for NJHS’s induction ceremony (a ceremony held to welcome students into the NJH program. Having this money will contribute in many positive ways. “I celebrate with my friends, family, and this year I am celebrating with my boyfriend James,” said 7th grader Ashtyn Price. Getting a loved one a candy gram is a great way to show how much you appreciate them!
Another way Lively is celebrating is with a Valentine’s Day dance! The dance tickets will be $5 for one person and $8 for a couple. Tickets are being sold during lunch. Things like snacks, food, and drinks will be for sale (nachos are only $3)! There will be a photo booth and lots of great memories. “This dance is all about the students, so we’re making sure to create a fun experience. Students had the chance to request songs, which we’ll be playing to keep the energy high. Some of the highlights will definitely include the students showing off their dance moves, being goofy, and making fun memories with friends. It’s all about them having a great time on campus in a way that brings everyone together,” said 8th grade team lead, Veronica Twining.
Of course, the dance is open to everyone so if you decide to go have a blast!
