Today is Valentine’s Day, and DMS students are looking forward to spend time with the ones they love.
Valentine’s Day is a worldwide, celebrated holiday. Its origins are unclear, but some people think that its origins come from a Roman festival.
The first Valentine’s Day was about 496 CE, which was around 1,527 years ago. Although the original intention wasn’t to associate the holiday with love, that is what is has become associated with. The first Valentine’s card was made circa 1415.
According to the History Channel website, “The history of Valentine’s Day—and the story of its patron saint—is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
“The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Still others insist that it was Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He, too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome.”
Regardless of the history, plenty of Duncan Middle School students are excited about the holiday.
Adran Pearl, seventh-grade student, said she is looking forward to this year’s holiday, especially since she has a significant other.
“On Valentine’s Day, I stay home, but I also hang out with my Valentine,” Pearl said.
But not everyone who celebrates Valentine’s Day necessarily has a Valentine.
Emma Lopez and Kylie Lowe said they like Valentine’s Day, but only sometimes. Both said they didn’t have a significant other this year, but they have plans for the holiday.
“One Valentine’s Day, I eat the chocolate my mom gets me,” Lopez said.
For Lowe, her Valentine’s Day plans don’t involve anyone else.
“On Valentine’s Day, I stay in bed and watch movies,” she said.
At Duncan Middle School, there have been several ways students and teachers have expressed their excitement for the holiday. On Thursday, the middle school held a Valentine’s-themed dance and Kerry Wilson’s honors English students made Valentine’s card.
