"It looks like most OSA students won’t be bitter this Valentine’s Day. With 59.4% of respondents saying they might have plans with someone this February 14th" - Ava Rukavina, 9th grade
“It’s inevitable, isn’t it? The high expectations around Valentine’s Day set us up to be disappointed.” Lisa Bonos writes in her article Having a Disappointing Valentine’s Day? You’re Not the Only One. Turns out, this isn’t the reality for many students here at Oakland School for the Arts. A Valentine’s Day survey of 165 OSA students found that OSA’s student body is very diverse in terms of who they’re attracted to, kids today still appreciate classic valentine’s gifts, and this February 14th, few people will be lonely. Interested in seeing all the data? It’s available here (any names have been removed to ensure confidentiality.)
It looks like most OSA students won’t be bitter this Valentine’s Day. With 59.4% of respondents saying they might have plans with someone this February 14th (so ask quickly while you still can), and 67.3% of respondents saying that they enjoy the holiday.
So what do your peers want for Valentine’s Day?
When asked what gifts they would appreciate, respondents' answers were pretty generic. "A flower, candy or a note. It’s really the thought that counts," Diana Dueñas said. A majority of people agreed with her, saying they would appreciate anything along the same lines: chocolates, candy, and stuffed bears from their highschool sweethearts. Some students hope for things that can’t be purchased, like hugs, time with the people they care about, and handwritten love letters.
Izzy Burns said for Valentine’s Day she would appreciate “literally anything,” something I think we can all relate to.
What would your peers hate to receive this Valentine’s Day?
Mikha Deleon said, "Someone doing something in front of a bunch of people. Especially being asked out in front of other people. Or doing that stupid thing where people are like, ‘you stole my heart’ or whatever. Mostly doing things in front of others or involving more people than necessary."
Similarly to Deleon, many people said they would hate public confessions of love. Other popular or rather, unpopular answers included balloons, items with glitter, being asked out as a joke, or sexual remarks of any kind.
Interestingly enough, there was a common response for both the question, “What’s a romantic gesture you would appreciate on Valentine’s day?” and, “What’s a romantic gesture you would hate to receive?” Many people responded with flowers for both. Safe to say, unless you want to risk it all this year, avoid picking up a bouquet this Valentine’s Day.
What are the chances your hallway crush “swings your way?”
Fortunately for you, chances are pretty good. Based on the survey results, OSA has enrolled a large number of students who’s attraction is not limited to one gender. The most popular response was all genders at 35.8%. 23% of respondents said they are attracted to exclusively men/non women, while 12.7% are attracted to exclusively women/non men.18.2% said they are attracted to women and men, and 10.3% of students said they either aren’t attracted to anyone, don’t know, or prefer not to say.
For comparison, based on a 2019 survey of high school students sexuality in America, only 8.7% of students said they were attracted to more than one gender. However it is important to note that this data may be inaccurate due to the fact that the options available were relatively limiting, only including Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Gay or Lesbian.
How much money is young love worth, according to the young lovers themselves?
Open your wallets wide! Respondents were asked about how much they think should be spent on a Valentine’s Day gift in a high school relationship. The answers given ranged from as high as $80 (I feel bad for the poor sap who asks them out). Or as low as $0, claiming the only meaningful gifts are handcrafted ones. However, the general consensus was $10-20.
I hope you found this data useful in your eternal quest for love. Happy Valentine’s Day, OSA.
It looks like most OSA students won’t be bitter this Valentine’s Day. With 59.4% of respondents saying they might have plans with someone this February 14th (so ask quickly while you still can), and 67.3% of respondents saying that they enjoy the holiday.
So what do your peers want for Valentine’s Day?
When asked what gifts they would appreciate, respondents' answers were pretty generic. "A flower, candy or a note. It’s really the thought that counts," Diana Dueñas said. A majority of people agreed with her, saying they would appreciate anything along the same lines: chocolates, candy, and stuffed bears from their highschool sweethearts. Some students hope for things that can’t be purchased, like hugs, time with the people they care about, and handwritten love letters.
Izzy Burns said for Valentine’s Day she would appreciate “literally anything,” something I think we can all relate to.
What would your peers hate to receive this Valentine’s Day?
Mikha Deleon said, "Someone doing something in front of a bunch of people. Especially being asked out in front of other people. Or doing that stupid thing where people are like, ‘you stole my heart’ or whatever. Mostly doing things in front of others or involving more people than necessary."
Similarly to Deleon, many people said they would hate public confessions of love. Other popular or rather, unpopular answers included balloons, items with glitter, being asked out as a joke, or sexual remarks of any kind.
Interestingly enough, there was a common response for both the question, “What’s a romantic gesture you would appreciate on Valentine’s day?” and, “What’s a romantic gesture you would hate to receive?” Many people responded with flowers for both. Safe to say, unless you want to risk it all this year, avoid picking up a bouquet this Valentine’s Day.
What are the chances your hallway crush “swings your way?”
Fortunately for you, chances are pretty good. Based on the survey results, OSA has enrolled a large number of students who’s attraction is not limited to one gender. The most popular response was all genders at 35.8%. 23% of respondents said they are attracted to exclusively men/non women, while 12.7% are attracted to exclusively women/non men.18.2% said they are attracted to women and men, and 10.3% of students said they either aren’t attracted to anyone, don’t know, or prefer not to say.
For comparison, based on a 2019 survey of high school students sexuality in America, only 8.7% of students said they were attracted to more than one gender. However it is important to note that this data may be inaccurate due to the fact that the options available were relatively limiting, only including Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Gay or Lesbian.
How much money is young love worth, according to the young lovers themselves?
Open your wallets wide! Respondents were asked about how much they think should be spent on a Valentine’s Day gift in a high school relationship. The answers given ranged from as high as $80 (I feel bad for the poor sap who asks them out). Or as low as $0, claiming the only meaningful gifts are handcrafted ones. However, the general consensus was $10-20.
I hope you found this data useful in your eternal quest for love. Happy Valentine’s Day, OSA.
