When Devin Calhoun was in elementary school, he had a traumatic Valentine’s Day experience.

While at his school Valentine’s Day party, a girl was handing out cupcakes when she suddenly turned around too fast, smashing cupcakes right into Calhoun.

But in spite of that gooey trauma, the Red Oak Junior High 8th grader still has positive thoughts about Feb. 14. Calhoun said that Valentine’s Day is a day to remember who you love — not just a girlfriend or boyfriend, but also family

“I think it’s a day to recognize and tell your parents, ‘I love you, I know I don’t say it enough’,” Calhoun said.

8th grader Ariana Ramirez thinks it’s a day to value the people in your life.

“I will spend time with my family and friends,” Ramirez said. “I feel like it’s a good day to show affection to the people you love”

8th grader Nicole Bonneau thinks Valentine’s Day is a day when people get to show how much they love each other. Still, the day is not her favorite.

“It’s a good holiday,” Bonneau said. “But not one of the best.”

At ROJH, it’s not only about how students react to the holiday, but also about their behavior on the holiday. Seventh grade ELAR teacher Dawn Rickman notices different behavior on Valentine’s Day.

“If students really recognize it as Valentine’s Day, they tend to be a little nicer to people, but if they don’t even know, then they act normal,” Rickman said.

Valentine’s Day has different meanings to teachers, even though they might not show it.

Seventh grade social studies teacher Daniel Roland has been married for 17 years, and often does thoughtful things for his wife on the holiday.

“On Feb. 14, I will wash my wife’s vehicle and take her to the dinner of her choice,” Roland said.

Roland added that his first ever day of teaching was on Valentine’s Day.

Rickman said Valentine’s is a day to do sweet things for the person you love.

“It’s the one day a year that you carve out and make sure you’re doing extra nice things, although, you should be doing extra nice things all year long,” she said.

SHOW THE  LOVE

ROJH choir is selling valentines that will be delivered to students during 2nd period on Feb. 13. Students can pay $3 for one card, $5 for two cards and $10 for five cards. Sale times are before and after school Feb. 6, 9 and 10. For more information, contact choir teacher Jena Burkholder.