As Valentine’s Day approaches, the hallways of North Hollywood High School are buzzing with excitement as students prepare for a day filled with love, friendship, and a splash of vibrant red and pink.

Whether they’re in a committed relationship, flying solo, or spreading kindness through thoughtful gestures, the spirit of Valentine’s Day is palpable throughout the campus.

For Jason Rivera, a junior, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express his love for his girlfriend, Emily, in a traditional yet deeply meaningful way. 

“I’m going to be gifting my girlfriend flowers and chocolates,” he mentioned. “It’s a small gesture that carries a lot of sentiment and I’m excited to see her reaction.”

“I’m planning to give my girlfriend a small heart-shaped necklace. It’s a sweet gift to let her know how much I appreciate our relationship,” expressed David Cardenas, a senior.

While romantic gestures take center stage during the Valentine’s Day haze, some students see Valentine’s Day as an occasion to celebrate their friendships and express their affection to those closest to them. 

Solo Huskies are channeling the spirit of friendship by planning to gift roses and candies to their closest friends.

SAS senior Sarah Garcia plans to distribute roses to her close friends. 

“I want my friends to feel special and valued on Valentine’s Day, so I will be gifting them each a rose,” she shared.

Another student, Cindy Lopez, is planning to give bags of candies to her groups of friends. 

“We know each other’s favorite candies, so it’s a sweet way to indulge in some treats and enjoy the day with friends.”

This year, Valentine’s celebrations are abuzz with excitement, thanks to the efforts of the Senior Student Council, who have set up a special Valentine’s Day booth, offering students a delightful opportunity to express their affection through Hello Kitty plushies and personalized Polaroid photos.

Students like Jake Montoya are planning to surprise their friends with these adorable gifts. 

“I think it’s a cute and fun way to show appreciation to friends. Plus, who can resist Hello Kitty?” Montoya chuckled.

“I bought a Hello Kitty plushie and a necklace for my best friend, and I know she’s going to love it. It’s just so adorable and adds a touch of sweetness to the day,” Lily Ramirez, a sophomore, gushed.

Sergio Castillo, a senior, shared his excitement about surprising his girlfriend with a special stuffed animal from the Valentine’s day booth. 

“I know she loves cute things, so getting her a Hello Kitty plushie is my way of showing her how much she means to me,” Castillo said.

Like many other students, juniors Elizabeth Cuevas and Emma Santiago also plan to visit the Senior Council’s Valentine’s Day booth to capture a Polaroid photo that encapsulates the essence of their friendship. 

“Taking polaroid pictures is a great way to celebrate our friendship and it’s a keepsake that we can cherish for years to come,” Cuevas expressed.

As Valentine’s Day draws near, North Hollywood embraced the spirit of love with a short but sweet Valentine’s Spirit Week. From cozy pajamas to colorful representations of relationship statuses, students enthusiastically participated in the themed activities.

Kicking off the week with comfort and style, Monday marked Pajama Day. Students arrived in an array of cozy sleepwear, showcasing everything from classic plaid pajamas to quirky onesies.

“Pajama day is the best! I like that we get to be comfortable and cozy while at school!” Sophia Pacheco excitedly expressed.

“I wish we had pajama days more often because I feel snug and warm all day,” junior Horacio Leon chuckled.

Tuesday brought about a sense of camaraderie as students paired up for Twinning Day. The halls were filled with doubles, as friends and couples alike matched their outfits in creative and often amusing ways.

“It’s fun to see everyone twinning. My friend and I are going to go all out and wear matching jeans and flannels!” remarked junior, Jose Ortega.

Wearing their hearts on their sleeves – or rather, their colors – Wednesday’s theme revolves around expressing relationship status through clothing. Singles don shades of pink, taken students radiate in red, those not interested in a relationship sport white, and those in the talking stage adorn themselves in purple. 

“It’s a cool way to show where you’re at without having to say anything. The colors make it easy to see who’s in the same boat as you,” shared senior Jason Mendez. 

As the Huskies prepare for a day filled with love and kindness, it’s evident that they are embracing the true spirit of Valentine’s Day. After all, in the hallways of North Hollywood High School, love is truly in the air.