Westminster College Students Find Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

By Sara Bozich, senior interdisciplinary major from Lewisberry, Pa.

Valentine's Day is celebrated annually with the aid of jewelry stores, candy stores, flower shops, and of course, Hallmark. With left-over Christmas bills, student loans, the purchase of books for the semester, and phone bills, cash-strapped Westminster College students have to find creative ways to celebrate.

Most college couples take the holiday as an excuse to forego cafeteria food and splurge at a restaurant that does not take student ID cards or sport a drive-through window.

Cooking a homemade meal for Valentine's Day is a cost-effective alternative to going out to eat, although it could prove difficult in a dormitory. Nonetheless, a trend of eating-in has become prominent, in particular, the man showing off his culinary skills to the woman.

Some students continue to splurge if financially able. "For Valentines Day, Dan is going to take me to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts to see the Renaissance Exhibit!" said Katie Pollack, a senior elementary education major from Seneca, who is student teaching in Houston this semester.

And others still find creative means to show their love without overspending, like sending an I.O.U. or making a homemade gift. Katie Brentzel, a senior public relations major from Jeannette, opted for the resourceful. "We're going to make CDs for each other, and he's going to cook me dinner."

Robin Frost, a junior political science major from Walworth, N.Y., likes to add a personal touch to her gifts for her boyfriend. "I have made him a homemade valentine every Valentine's day for the past four years."

This holiday is certainly not just for couples. David Field, a junior public relations major from Alamo, Ca., is single this Valentine's Day. "I'll ask my mom to be my valentine," said Field, "It's a day to show people you love that you love them."

Many students send valentines to all of their friends and relatives, not just to a significant other. Groups of singles take the day to watch movies or go out to dinner together in a non-couples setting.

And some plan to celebrate on their own, as a kind of salute to solitude. Others still, in a demeanor that seems more spiteful than romantic, participate in another way.

"On Valentine's Day I will be wearing all black because it is the antithesis of the entire holiday," said Amber Allen, a junior English major from Chicora.

It seems, however, that college-age students prefer to be spontaneous on this romance-filled holiday. Most people didn't have plans for Valentine's Day, especially men. And that could be why they are stuck cooking the meals this year.

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