Athens High School Celebrates a Different Kind of Valentines Day

Wednesday started out as any regular day at Athens High School in Troy. As teenagers, students had left traditional Valentine’s Day class parties long in the past. But this year was different. This year, Principal Dr. Lara Dixon wanted to reach out to each student in her building, with a message of love and positivity. “I floated this idea past a few of our staff; they loved it and ran with it!” said Dixon. The prospect of dividing over 1,550 student names among 100 staff members, and making sure no one was left out, was daunting. “But we were up for the challenge,” continued Dixon, and teachers Kristy Pierce, Elizabeth Denyes, Stacie Klumpp, Rachel Peterson, Kristina Ronan, and Allison Stefanski led the charge.

Working in the “planning room,” each student’s name was cross referenced to a staff member that specifically asked to write to that person, and the giant handwriting exercise began. The postcards read “Happy Valentine’s Day from the Athens Staff! You are a real TREAT to have at Athens,” with the flip side left blank as space for the personalized message.

With a project this size, it was well kept under wraps, until Wednesday morning. As the bell rang for 2nd hour, Dixon with teacher Kristy Pierce and her special student group, whom Dixon calls a “SWAT Team of Joy,” aided by counselors, social workers, teachers, and administration--and the amazing parents of the Athens PTO--took carts loaded with bagels and the very special Valentines, and started entering classrooms. “At first there was surprise at seeing all of the bagels. But as students’ names were called, and they began opening their Valentines, it became apparent what was happening,” said PTO president Danielle Buser. “Students were shocked. Silent at first, then the hugging, weeping and reading each others' Valentines began,” observed TSD Communications Specialist Patrice Rowbal. “There was a personal affirmation for each and every student in the building.”

“We have a loving staff, and an incredible school community. But, in the hustle and bustle of all that happens in people’s lives, there is something special about one person taking time to connect with another. I am grateful that I have such a caring staff who are always ready to go above and beyond to make sure kids know we care about them, each and every one of them,” said Dixon. And it worked. The Athens team wanted kids to know they are special. Through texts, emails, hugs, and casual conversation, students showed they felt special. One particular student shared with Dixon: “Thank you for the Valentine, I’ve never gotten one before. I felt like I mattered.” That was the plan.

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Photo 1: Principal Dr. Laura Dixon with staff, students (her "SWAT Team of Joy") and PTA parents, (and lots and lots of bagels) getting ready to hit the hallways and classrooms with special deliveries.

Photo 3: The "Backup Bagel Team," To ensure no student was left behind, the Backup team hung around the hallways with extra bagels on the off chance someone was missed. Turns out, no one was. ;)

Photo 4: Kids in Mr. Gleason's class, looking at each other's Valentines.