Kate Beinkampen ’19, Grace Reilly ’19: Valentine’s Day is a time to remember and appreciate loved ones. Students, teachers, and staff alike experience this holiday in a unique way. While some teachers regard the holiday as a “Hallmark Holiday” others use it as an opportunity to express their affection for their families.
Couples among the Episcopal faculty celebrate the holiday in many ways. Anna McDermott, Upper School history teacher, admits she and her husband, Bryan McDermott, Upper School Science teacher, are “not big on Valentine’s Day.” They have not yet made any plans for the holiday because, as she describes it, “it’s like prom- it’s overrated.” On the other hand, Thomas Kent, member of the Classics Department, believes that Valentine’s Day is all about the food. “It’s an excuse to go out for a good meal.” He plans to take his mother to a nice restaurant to celebrate, along with his wife Maude Kent, Middle School math teacher.
Teachers in the English department have varied opinions about the holiday. John Dilworth, Upper School English teacher, claims that although he “hate[s] Valentine’s Day,” he will get his wife a gift from his kids and may make her pancakes. His frustration with Valentine’s Day stems from the fact that there should not be only one day a year to show people you love them. “I try to show the people in my life I love them every day, not just on February 14th,” he explains. Christopher McCreary, Upper School English teacher, explains that although he and his wife do not celebrate the holiday, there is no “real philosophical reason.”
Some of the Upper School Form Deans celebrate the holiday in their own ways as well. Cheryl Mclauchlan, Upper School Form Dean and math teacher, says she loves all holidays and Valentine’s Day is “just another opportunity to wear red, have stickers, and send her grandsons cards.” Throughout her whole life her dad has sent her a heart shaped box of candy every Valentine’s day. Similarly, Mike Letts, Upper School Form Dean and English teacher, does not have any plans for Valentine’s Day nor does he recall any exciting Valentine’s Day memories. The husband of Holly Johnston, Upper School Form Dean and religion teacher, is in Chicago; therefore, she is planning on watching Hallmark movies with her daughters. She explains that these movies are always good hearted and have a happy ending. Alyson Kurz says she and her husband were busy when making Valentine’s Day plans. “It’s on a Tuesday and we just had a baby!” she explains.
Max Kelly and Mark Whalen, both teachers in the Upper School history department, accuse elementary school of “ruining” Valentine’s Day because the students were forced to make cards for all their classmates. Although Kelly says he sends his mom flowers, he concludes that the holiday is just a “way to manipulate emotions and feelings.”
However, Madame Christele Furey, Upper School French teacher, has a positive association with the day. She recalls a lovely Valentine’s day surprise when her husband picked her up from the law firm where she used to work and surprised her by taking her to a restaurant where a bottle of champagne and flowers were waiting for her.
William Forbes, member of the technology support staff, associates the day with a fond childhood memory. Forbes grew up in Saranac Lake in upstate New York. When he was in the eighth grade he was the King of the Ice Palace at the annual winter carnival that always falls on Valentine’s Day. Ever since receiving this honor, Forbes has enjoyed celebrating the holiday and plans on sharing a special dinner with his adored wife.
Lily Stavropolous ’18 remembers Valentine’s Day celebrations in the Lower Schooll at EA. She shares, “I used to love giving and recieving the valentines from my classmates. They always made everyone feel so appreciated and I am lucky to be able to recall those memories.Even though now that I’m older we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day the same way, it is still a special holiday.”