THE ANCHOR ISSUE 21

BRIEF HISTORY OF VALENTINE’S DAY By: Jacolby Doss & Shanna Jackson Every February, everyone braces for Valentine’s Day. A holi-day that either makes you rejoice because you have someone to share it with, or become obsesses with how you are single and will remain “forever alone”. Traditionally, you will notice cards being given, bears and chocolates being presented, and beautiful bouquets of flowers which render their recipient breathless. But where did everything be-gin, and what are the origins of it all? Valentine’s Day is named for Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers who was murdered on Feb. 14 AD 270. During that time, the Roman emperor Claudius II cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome because he was having a hard time getting men to join the military, and he believed married men who were emotionally attached to their wives and families, did not make good soldiers. However, Valentine secretly married couples until he was caught, then, refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs, was sentenced to be beaten to death with clubs and have his head cut off. One leg-end suggests he left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter before his death which said “Love from your Valentine,” the first Valentine’s card. It was the pope who set aside Feb. 14 to honor St. Valentine in AD 496. So there we have it, Valentine’s Day in a nutshell. Most people are not aware of the controversy behind this special day. The next time you have a free moment on this overly romantic day, take a second to remember the rich history that is behind it.

Announcements

February 15: Professional Development -- TEACHERS ONLY

Frebruary 18: President’s Day (no school)

March 10, 11, 12: DECA STATE

March 14, 15, 16: KUNA

March 15: Flexible Planning Day -- TEACHERS ONLY **students will at-tend if days missed for weather/illness

Marh 29: Fleible Planning Day -- TEACEHRS ONLY **students will attend if any missed for weather/illness

April 1-5: Spring Break, KEA meetings April 3-5

April 20: Prom

May 13: Last instructional day for students (subject to change)

May 14: Closing day for recrods -- TEACHERS ONLY (subject to change)

May 15-16: Planning Days -- TEACHERS ONLY

RCHS Cheerleaders’ Compete in UCA Nationals!

February 5-10, RCHS cheerleaders traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to compete in the UCA Nationals cheer competition where they competed against nu-merous other super-large co-ed squads. Their hard work and efforts earned them a place in the finals, and they returned home with an 11th place trophy. During the time that they weren’t practicing their routine or competing, cheerleaders got to venture throughout Disney and have some fun riding rollercoasters, meeting Disney charac-ters, and laying by the pool with T-Bird! Congratulations to RCHS cheerleaders for their successes.

In honor of the Valentine’s Day holiday, we asked students what the best gift they’ve ever received was and also what they plan on giving as a gift this year. What is the best gift you’ve received? Nick Coe- My Dog, SamMatt Esau- A DVDTaylor Jones- A vacuum cleanerBrittany Simpson- Flowers and a Teddy BearAustin Beard- A horseJacob Burton- a pound of Hershey’s Cookies and CrèmeCassidy Emerson- FlowersKatie Garner- a NecklaceTJ Pierce- a variety of Candy

What do you Plan on giving this year? Nick Coe- I’m auctioning off my sister (jokingly)Matt Esau- I’m auctioning off Jonathan (also jokingly)Taylor Jones- I’m going to re-gift my vacuumBrittany Simpson- Concert ticketsAustin Beard- A lump of coalJacob Burton- A pillow pet and RosesCassidy Emerson- I don’t know, probably a rock.Katie Garner- A phone caseTJ Pierce- I’m just giving the usual flowers.

Teacher Valentines

Shanna and Anthony Darnell have been married for 21

years and 3 children.

Stacy and Charlie Anderson have been married for 20 years and have 2 children.

Tracey and Jim Bean have been married for 16 years and have 3 children.

Kim and Scotty Weston have been married for 17 years and have 2 children.

Valentine’s Day Random Facts

15% of US Women send themselves flowers on valentine’s day

In the US, 64% of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valen-tien’s day with thier sweethearts

189 Stems of roses are sold in the US on Valentine’s Day

220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year.

Women purchase approx. 85% of all valentines

On Valentine’s Day 2010 39,897 people in Mexico City broke the record for the world’s largest kiss

In 2005 a US man was charged with using an internet chat room to organize a mass suicide on valentine’s day.

In order of popularity, Valentine’s day cards are given to teachers, childern, mothers, wives, sweethearts, and pets.

The Italian city of verona, where shaksephere’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, recives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine’s Day.

Our High School Sweethearts

Dakota Wood and Shelby Bryant together for 2 weeks

Jerry Coffman and Amy McQueary together for a year and 2 months

Danika Redman and Dylan Wilson together for a year and 2 weeks

Jared Glover and Mariah Loy together for a month

Krysten Parson and Evan roytogether for a month

Emily York and trever Robertson together four years and 3 months

In honor of the Valentine’s Day holiday, we asked students what the best gift they’ve ever received was and also what they plan on giving as a gift this year. What is the best gift you’ve received? Nick Coe- My Dog, SamMatt Esau- A DVDTaylor Jones- A vacuum cleanerBrittany Simpson- Flowers and a Teddy BearAustin Beard- A horseJacob Burton- a pound of Hershey’s Cookies and CrèmeCassidy Emerson- FlowersKatie Garner- a NecklaceTJ Pierce- a variety of Candy

What do you Plan on giving this year? Nick Coe- I’m auctioning off my sister (jokingly)Matt Esau- I’m auctioning off Jonathan (also jokingly)Taylor Jones- I’m going to re-gift my vacuumBrittany Simpson- Concert ticketsAustin Beard- A lump of coalJacob Burton- A pillow pet and RosesCassidy Emerson- I don’t know, probably a rock.Katie Garner- A phone caseTJ Pierce- I’m just giving the usual flowers.

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