By Rachel Wanat
In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, the students of Princeton High School were subject to outbursts of serenading. You could be walking down the hall or in the cafeteria when you would hear it start.
The source: Princeton High School’s only co-ed a cappella group, Around 8.
The reason for all this: singing valentines, Around 8’s way of spreading the love this Valentine’s Day season.
For $5, anyone at Princeton High School could purchase a singing valentine, a personalized performance to send to a friend or teacher. The sender selects the song, the soloist, and the time of delivery. On the menu for this year’s valentines were songs by Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, as well as Marvin Gaye.
Around 8 president Leila Schochet ‘12 says, “I think that singing valentines are very exciting since everyone is so surprised, and the people around them always listen as well. They are a fun way to get people listening to A8 and people react to them very well. They bring our school together because so many different people from different groups and grades buy them for each other. I also think that they get people in the spirit for Valentines Day.”
She adds, “It’s not every day that you have 12 people serenading you in the hallway.”
When asked why she decided to send a singing valentine, Julia Rew ‘12 says, “It was a really fun way to spread some school spirit. It is also great to get to watch Around 8 when they sang valentines to other people, and to see everyone’s reactions.”
Student Council also did its part to boost spirits. On the 14th, students and faculty entered the school to find a display of pink, heart-shaped sticky notes, each bearing an individual name. The display spanned the length of a hallway.
Even more festive, the sophomore hearts were arranged to spell out “ I heart U” collectively.
At first, no one seemed sure of what to do with the hearts beyond find their name in the display.
Ashley VanName ‘12 says, “At first I didn’t what was going on. People were wearing their own hearts.”
Slowly, people started to take the hearts down and wear them. By the time break rolled around at least half the heart display was moved from the third floor hallway to the shirts and backpacks of the student body.
Nicky Kratzer ‘13 says, “I really liked the heart display. I thought it created a good atmosphere.”
Of the atmosphere, Maddy Sverdlove ‘12, says it was “less about ‘me and my partner’ but more about ‘me and my friends.’”
To Sverdlove’s point, many people strolled the halls sporting more than one heart. Most seemed more concerned with collecting the hearts of their friends as opposed to obtaining one of a significant other.
Michael Treves ‘12 says the display was “quite successful. Student Councilfinally did something people enjoyed.” He adds, “It was fun seeing people walking around with their friends’ hearts.”
Vice president of Student Council Daisy Wu ‘12 agrees on the successful nature of the display, saying, “I think it went well, especially when people saw other people wearing their name.”
This was the first year Student Council put up the display. When asked if the display has the potential to become a Princeton High School tradition VanName says, “Yeah, as long as people know what you’re supposed to do.”
Treves says, “It depends on who represents Student Council.”
Wu affirms, “I think it should [become a PHS tradition.] Everyone really liked the idea. I really want to see it catch on.”
Rachel Wanat is a student at Princeton High School.

