A few campus cats enjoy a quiet morning behind the portables.

All of us are aware of the cats that make their home underneath the portables. They live a somewhat clandestine life, roaming in the gated yard behind the English classes. I decided to ask Mr. Herring about his perspective on UHS’ unofficial pets.

Meilin: How do you feel about the cats, seeing as you teach right above their house?

Mr. Herring: I feel very lucky to be in such close proximity to them. Cats are amazing, beautiful animals. They have a unique perspective on the world, which anyone who has spent time with cats recognizes. I have even heard it said that people never domesticated cats; cats just chose to start living with humans, and that’s kind of how I feel, that these cats have chosen to come live on the campus and I am lucky that I am able to teach above them.

Meilin: Do you see the cats often?

Mr. Herring: During the day the cats mostly hide out underneath my classroom, but anyone can see them early in the morning or late in the afternoon. When the campus quiets down and most of the students leave, they come out to play and hunt for food. Of course, I have a special relationship with them, so I’m able to see them more often.

Meilin: Oh, so you do see them often?

Mr. Herring: Yes, absolutely. They are my neighbors and I have been able to watch them over the years as they have come and gone. It’s like Homer says in the Iliad, “As is the generation of leaves, so is that of…cats,” well he says humanity, but it’s true of cats too. He goes on, “One generation of cats will grow”—again he says men but you know, it still works—“while another dies.”

Meilin: Oh, that’s an interesting quote. Um, do you ever worry about health issues for you or your students with cats living under your classroom?

Mr. Herring: Oh no, there aren’t any health issues with these cats. They’re very distinguished creatures. But I feel like you looked at me funny when I drew a comparison between cats and the Iliad. What I said isn’t weird. Making a connection between literature and the cats isn’t weird. It’s like Hygd likes to say—

Meilin: I’m sorry…Hygd?

Mr. Herring: Yes, Hygd. She is one of the matriarchs of the current generation of cats living—

Meilin: So you have named the cats?

Mr. Herring: Yes, that’s what I am trying to say. One of Hygd’s favorite lines from Hamlet is when Hamlet is telling the player that a play ought to hold a mirror up to nature—

Mr. Herring reads Hamlet with Hygd. Hygd says, “Don’t let the iambic pentameter make your delivery so sing-songy; let the meaning of the words determine the emphasis.” Always the critic, that one.

Meilin: Did you just say that you discuss Hamlet with a cat?

Mr. Herring: Do you mind if I finish?

Meilin: I apologize. Please continue.

Mr. Herring: So, Hygd has always made a fuss over that line, but it didn’t really hit me as relevant to my understanding of the cats until a few years ago when so many were being caught and removed from campus.

Meilin: Oh yeah, didn’t Dr. Coffey try to catch some of the cats and have the Humane Society take them?

Mr. Herring: And a good many of them were taken. How many afternoons I sat alone in this room thinking about their lives, I don’t know, but it was then that I realized how much their existence is a struggle, like the people of the old warring tribes of northern Europe. After that I started to record their genealogies and name the cats after the warriors and other characters in Beowulf. I named Hygd first after the thoughtful and generous queen who distributed gifts in Heorot. Until then I had only known her as Shadow—she is as black and seductive as a moonless night—but the name Hygd reflects her personality on a more than superficial level. Then, I started to name the other cats too. I’ll show you.

Mr. Herring shares a partial family tree of the cats living beneath the portables.

Mr. Herring pulls a thick black binder from a shelf and begins flipping through pages of crude cat sketches and feline articles that appear to be printed from Wikipedia. He stops on a family tree and points out some of the names—Hygelac, Eanmund, Onela, Hrothulf, Heoroweard—describing their relationships and characteristics with animated glee. I am a bit taken aback with the depth and obvious time put into the tracking and recording of all these cats.

Meilin: Wow…that’s alarmingly thorough.

Mr. Herring: Thank you.

Mr. Herring beams, clearly excited that he was able to share his cat binder with someone. 

Meilin: Well, seeing as you have named them after Beowulf characters, I’m sure they are familiar with that book. Do they know any other great works of literature?

Mr. Herring: Sure. Unfortunately, they are not big fans of Jane Austen—Eofor has made that abundantly clear. He yowled throughout Pride and Prejudice. But I understand: living always so close to death, they have no time for escapism. Camus they like. They get him. They get the indifference of the world. They understand that just fine. We’ve spent many afternoons discussing existentialism and absurdism.

Mr. Herring is quiet for a minute as he gazes fondly into the distance. After this last response I’m not really sure what to say so I change the subject.

Meilin: You know, when we were taking our Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead final, I heard a lot of loud, long meowing. Do you hear them meow a lot or know what was happening?

Mr. Herring smiles at first but then looks slightly embarrassed. 

Mr. Herring: Well, the cats are a family, and as one generation goes, another one must take its place. Both the elders of the cat tribe and I are awaiting a Beowulf, a hero who can fend off the threat of the campus hawks once and for all. I’m hoping the noise indicates that kittens are coming, opening a possibility that the hero the cats need is on its way. We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out though.

Meilin: Oh. Ohhhhh…um…well I guess you would like some more kittens to be able to add to your detailed family tree. Well I think I’m out of questions.

Mr: Herring: Nothing makes me happier than meeting a new group of kittens. There is one more thing I’d like to add.

Meilin: Okay, sure.

Cats are beautiful whether they live in a house or under a classroom.

Mr. Herring: I have been waiting for someone to ask me about the cats for a long time because I don’t think a lot of people on this campus really appreciate how special they are. A while back the mayor was here and gave a proclamation. I’d like to make one too: Whereas, all cats everywhere and on this campus are beautiful and sensitive creatures; and whereas, all cats everywhere and on this campus are brave and heroic and epic in surviving however they can; and, whereas, cats don’t kiss up to humans like dogs but maintain their own dignity; and whereas, cats are just plain awesome in general; now, therefore, I proclaim the first day of April 2013 to be henceforth known as University High School Cat Day.

Meilin: Alright, well thank you for your time and your, um, unique perspective on UHS cats. I hope your cats continue to live prosperous lives and that your Beowulf is on his way.

Three of the four University High School Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council members are pictured. From left to right: Junior Sergio Salguero, Junior Danielle Richard, and Freshman Dominic Moreno. Not pictured is junior Madison Dodge, Secretary of the entire council.

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council – sounds complicated, right? I am Dominic Moreno, a University High School Freshman and a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, or S.S.A.C. for short. S.S.A.C. actually has great intentions, and I am here to lay it all out for you. We are a council that consists of students from across the district who advise the Superintendent. Now that the name has clarification, I can continue into the specifics.

Approximately three to five students are either chosen by teachers and the administration or apply to get accepted into the council in the Tucson Unified School District. There are a total of four S.S.A.C. members from University High School, including myself; we work very closely with the Rincon High School S.S.A.C. members. The council of students from across the district meets at a different T.U.S.D high school every second or third Tuesday of each month. Our mission, vision, and simply our basic goal as a committee is to listen to the ideas of students from across the district, as well as the envisioned paths of the Superintendent, and carry that out on our campuses successfully. We are transported using T.U.S.D. issued vans that our Learning Support Coordinators drive, to whichever high school the meeting is being held that day. The meeting times vary but usually take place from 9 A.M to 11 A.M. Due to the meeting times, we are automatically excused from the classes that we will miss. Our most recent meeting location was Catalina Magnet High School on February 12, so I will describe the events of that meeting for you.

When we arrive it is always exciting for us, there is always a sense of friendship and trustworthiness, not just between you and the members from your school but from the students coming from all of the T.U.S.D. high schools as well. We all exit the van and then head into the school wherever the meeting will be held, and more often than not it takes place in the school’s library. After walking through Catalina’s halls we enter the library where we were greeted by Catalina S.S.A.C. members who directed us to the seating area. At that meeting we were one of the first schools who arrived due to our close location. We settled down at our table while our Learning Support Coordinator sat elsewhere with other Learning Support Coordinators. We talked, put a few pictures on Instagram, and watched the other students funnel in, including the Superintendent and several other T.U.S.D. board members. Once everyone had arrived, the Catalina Culinary Club catered us breakfast, cooking up zucchini bread, cinnamon rolls, fruit salads, and spa water! As expected, we all got seconds and enjoyed every bite of the delicious food. Once we ate, the officers of S.S.A.C. – meaning the elected student members who hold the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary, opened the meeting. The officers introduced the Superintendent and the present board members. Superintendent Dr. John Pedicone gave us his inspirational speech of the day and then handed it over to the Vice President Juana of Pueblo Magnet High School to conduct our “ice-breaker” exercise to help us to get to know one another better. We were to find partners and one of us was to be blindfolded as the other led us with only their voice through the entire library. After that really entertaining activity we sat back down.

The Superintendent got down to business for a lack of better wording. He explained to us the upcoming changes in our standardized testing system, specifically “Common Core”, and why students do not perform their best at times and how can we change that cycle. The students who raised their hand to answer gave great responses – so remarkable that if I was an old man who had no more hope for society I would have said that this group of young people has restored my faith in the young generation. Dr. Pedicone then announced that he would be starting an initiative within S.S.A.C. that would award $500 to outstanding upperclassmen within S.S.A.C. The Learning Support Coordinators gave their inputs as well and more questions were raised. We discussed more about general issues, including reading and mathematics proficiency in our schools.  After our discussion we were broken up into sub-committees, with a goal to tackle and find solutions to issues such as cyber bullying, verbal abuse, and increasing kindness awareness on campus. Superintendent Pedicone roamed from group to group as he took note of our unique student perspectives. Some Rincon S.S.A.C. members and I were included in the kindness and awareness committee. Our small discussion was led by University High School’s very own Madison Dodge, the Secretary of S.S.A.C. We concocted several great ideas that mainly revolved around kindness week which you will definitely hear about soon. Personally I was very happy with our talks and how Dr. Pedicone was able to hear what we thought and what we believed will help not just ourselves, but every student that is enrolled in T.U.S.D.

As our small group discussions ended, we read aloud our solutions to the entire council so everybody could bring the ideas back to their campuses. With that, our S.S.A.C. meeting came to a close, and we began to head back to our schools, with some of us getting thirds and fourths of the Culinary Club’s food! We all hopped in the van and were RUHS-bound. The car ride can literally be the most entertaining part, especially if you bring up the fact that Ms. Hernandez is ruthless when it comes to speed bumps and starts playing Nicki Minaj on the radio like we are at Madison Square Garden! Everything usually goes really well, and nothing we do is ever routine – we always do something different at every meeting, as variety is something that we all like in life. The van, with us inside of it, arrives back at our campus where we all part ways to our fourth period classes. For me I head to Spanish ½ with Sesteaga, and once I walk in she gives me that look on her face that just screams “¿Qué?” after I explain to her that I was at a S.S.A.C. meeting, because when you tell people you are in S.S.A.C., they think you mean “sack”, and that just leads into an entirely different conversation.

Before I finish up this article, I wanted to make you aware of some things that are currently being formulated in our small University High School S.S.A.C. meetings. There is a club in the works that will be known as R.U.S.T.I.K. that will be open to all, giving students the opportunity to get involved in S.S.A.C. without actually being an official member. The members of R.U.S.T.I.K. will work with Rincon and University High School S.S.A.C. members to help carry out the major projects and operations of S.S.A.C. on our campus specifically. This is a great chance to get involved in something quite literally big! Official new S.S.A.C. members will not be considered until the 2014-2015 school year, when the current juniors in S.S.A.C. will be gone and off to college and there will need to be three new University High School S.S.A.C. members to accompany me. For what reason would you not want to be involved in the Superintendent’s Student Advisory? Getting into S.S.A.C. means recognition, not just by the district, but by colleges everywhere; the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council is the ultimate Student Council and student-ran committee!

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D-Loo + GABA, I <3 U. Plz get together and have babies. So I can be the cool uncle. From Russia with <3

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Yasmeen C, Wobble with me baby

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Dear Lucia,

Things I’m thankful for: meeting your cats on Friday, how we might go to college together, seaweed popcorn, your laugh.

Happy V-Day!

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Dear Cara,

You are my shining star, my favrit berk, and seeing you always gives me gersebermes. U R A BO$$.

-Your secret admirer

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Happy Valentine’s Day to my best friend, Leilani! Thanks for always being there. I love you! <3 K. PS You da bestest

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Dear Brooke,

Your smile brightens my day.

-Marcos

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If I had a nickel for every time I thought about you, people would be like, “What’re you doing with all those nickels? That’s too many nickels.” And they would be wrong.

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Gabby,

I’d vote for you for real president any day.

Sending copious amounts of love your way this Valentine’s Day.

Love,

Bulgaria

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To my fashionable, sassy, gorgeous, silly,  fabulous friends: I love you so so so so so so so much. I’m so glad to have known you these past 4 years. You’ve made my high school experience the best it could possibly be. Stay beautiful <3 <3 lots of love, Meimei

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Alex,

You’re a Mexican ginger + you’re too cute to handle. Sometimes I like watching you attempt to raise your eyebrow. You hair’s super curly & I wish I was small so I could jump in it. The few freckles you have left are like gentle angel kisses. I’m not creepy or anything, but you’re perfect <3

-Your next door neighbor with all of the cats. Meow.

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Karen,

You are quite possibly the most amazing person I know.

————

Ly,

From email buddies to now, you understand me.

Thanks. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Dear Josh, Matt is the coolest. -Will

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To Ms. Glass’ Student Instructors:

Thank you for everything you do to support the juniors (and me) each day.

Happy V-Day,

Ms. G.

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Asha,

You are so rad and hilarious and I actually look up to you because:

1) You are amazing.

2) You are tall.

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Dear Daniela, J’aime: Your clothes, your hair, gossiping in French, and frat boys! Have a beautiful Valentine’s Day! Beaucoup d’amour, L

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Dear Daniel,

I’m sorry I got your policy wrong. Plz take me back.

-Secret Admirer

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Yurika,

This year, we’re better friends than ever. Thanks for supporting me with hugs via internet and shielding me from scary mall tweenagers. You are so intelligent, kind, and fun to be around and I am lucky to have been blessed by your presence. Happy Valentine’s Day, beautiful.

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Alice,

I’d eat your turnips.

Godot

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Lia,

You are the most perfect human I know. Let me buy you boxes of Pop Tarts and cry about John Green with you.

A. B.

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WILL L is the most bootiful boy in da whole wide world. Gosh he’s great. But I’m sorry I ditched you and have been neglecting you and everyone else. I <3 you so bby come back. You can blame it all on me. I was wrong. And I just can’t live without you.

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<3 Happy Valentine’s Day <3

Hey, I just thought you should know that you are absolutely beautiful. It’s just amazing to see how far we’ve come together and when I look in your eyes, I know I’m in the right place. I belong with you, you belong with me, you’re my sweetheart. <3

-Anonymous

P. S. Thanks for the band-aid after I scraped my knee falling for you!

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Austin,

Are you a beaver?

‘Cause DAM.

Are you from Texas?

Because your name is Austin.

Are you Jewish?

Because you Is-raeli hot.

Be my Valentine? <3

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Jasmin, Steph, Alice, Kimi, Julie, Brinn, Sara, Ciara, Tune, Illona & Crystal,

This year’s our last one! Thanks for everything! You guys are the best!

Love ya,

AZN (Diana)

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AshKosh: why are you so needy. urmybestfriend <3

Dearest Kelly,

You are so sweet and lovely and good at driving and I like your house, even though it’s far away! Goodness gracious, I am glad to have spent four years getting to know you. With all of the love that you spread, I am sure you will have no problem having a great Valentine’s Day.

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Daniel and Victoria, Emily and Alyssa,

Thanks for being awesome SIs this year.

Mr. Herring

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To: Mr Herring You are wonderful I am pleased to be your pupil P.S. Hamlet sucks Just kidding, I love Hamlet. I am very glad we got to read it. I know I messed up the poem format. It’s whatever. I <3 what you do, and you’re very good at it =) keep doing what you’re doing.

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Lloyd ***** III

You are perfect.

I accept you for who you are.

Which is a republican.

-Your secret lover

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Kyle S,

I have a two-step solution for you:

1. DATE

2. ME

(anonymous)

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Natalie S is the sweetest girl on the planet

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Natalia Natalia Natalia.

I can’t say how much fate factored into our friendship. What if at BOOST I had Roediger’s second period instead of first? What if we both didn’t wear purple jeans on the same Friday? It feels a little bit like fate: you and me. Through the thick and the thin, you have been in all senses of the word, a friend. Simple thank yous are not enough. High school would not have been as exciting, or wonderful or profound if it weren’t for you. And I know, sometimes I get caught up in all my stress, but this Valentine goes to say, we will always be friends. Me, watching you Irish Dance. You, eating Matzah Ball Soup at my house. Let’s run away and be cats together. (It’s the only solution.)

Yours.

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Y u no date me.

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Zac, you are so smart and kind and I am glad we’re friends!

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I love Miranda!

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Dear Trevor,

Even though you think Valentine’s are silly-I’m still sending you love anyway. Thanks for making English and Calculus a little brighter.

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Dear Cole,

You are an interesting person. Sometimes you’re not very nice. But it’s okay. Because you’re funny, interesting hilarious, intelligent, and darn cute.

Okay.

Happy Valentine’s Day love.

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Hayley,

You are a beautiful woman who makes English fantastic! I love you! Keep being amazing!

Your Secret Admirer

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Amanda,

Thank you for complaining with me every day. You motivate me to do work, sort of. Mostly you make me want to go on Tumblr.

Sincerely,

The other A. B.

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To the beautiful god that sits in my English class. I like….your hair. XOXO

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Sedona,

I love you and your pretty face.

<3 Hayley

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Catie: You are the hardest working, most genuine, caring, thoughtful, wonderful, intelligent, perfect girl I know. Lucky in so many ways to have you in my life. I’ll miss you so much next year.

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Laurent, Remember when you piloted that ship away from that iceberg and saved 200 lives? Oh wait–was it 200? No. It was 300. 300 lives you saved. Wow…. AWESOME….

This valentine is for Matt S, but let’s be honest: your mom is our favorite, SORRY-NOT-SORRY. (just to annoy you)

CARA P (Happy Valentine’s Day, also…) is my best friend. I mean, I guess. <3

Pete and I are Dougie Soul Mate Brothas. (also chech)….. Truu.

Emilia, Happy Thursday! I’ll let you know when the Chevy is ready to CRUISE…. It’s a Chevy, trust me.

JAKE (aka James Cameron) You da man! Larn. Don’t ever leave my lifey ‘cause we always get hyphy.

Tess… We take too many selfies. But they’re sexy so I guess it’s ok….

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

My unadulterated lover,

Your scent is that of the sweetest lavender, your touch is…is like silk. Silk adorned by Aphrodite herself. Oh my dear voluptuous maiden, you are the sole epitome of eternal love. A beacon of hope in the most dreadful of storms. I adore you, my love. You are the sweet water that quenches my parched throat, the fruit of temptation that sates my hunger, the hunger that drives my passion towards you.

And what a hunger it is.

Take my hand, you stallion. Take my hand and be with me in the heavens, become one with the very stars with me. Our bodies will coalesce and the very gods will tremble at our grace and poise.

Your devilishly handsome admirer

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Julie, You’re my national treasure -Nic Cage

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Dear Will, You rock my sox twice <3 your secret admirer

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Dear Lindsey,

You’re perfect. That’s all.

Love,

Nic

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Sedona Francheska-

You are the slide to my trombone.

You are the peanut butter to my jelly.

You are the Hello to my Kitty.

You are the Naked to my Juice.

Be my Valentine?

<3 Your Secret Admirer

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Ben N, You had me at “cello”

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Dear Jennifer, Even though you have a “valentine”, you’re mine and you better know that. You’re amazing and I’m really glad we’re close friends. Have a great Valentine’s Day! Love, Alena

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We <3 the UHS Perspective!

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Sean,

We’ve worked together for so long, but every day is an adventure. I love old people too.

Love Eli Anonymous

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Matt, you are Value Added To my life.

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Jasmin D, Not having you as a Valentine would be an OBAMAnation. -Joe Biden

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Kevin, thanks for being a good friend. Your green tea is the best. Also, zombies. <3

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Happy Valentine’s Day self!!

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Brinn: This is totally not a sarcastic message. So I’ll go ahead and say that I don’t really like  how you’re nice to everyone, and that you’re not funny/witty and that I don’t appreciate our friendship. Don’t have a Happy Valentine’s Day.

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Audrey,

My lovely and vivacious little penguin! Unfortunately for me, we have had very little to say to each other all year, because you are such an ambitious, brave, smart freshman. You’ve navigated the arduous UHS waters with ease and I’m so proud of you, although I have to right to be–I haven’t done anything. Really, you’ve got to tell me what other kinds of candy you like, because I’m sure you must be tired of Reese’s. I know you’ll have such wonderful experiences the next 3 years without me, and I’m so excited to see what lies in store for you in the sense of opportunities. I know you’ll go far. Thank you so much for making my job easy! I’ll always try to keep in touch with you. Until then, keep up the good work and happy V-Day!

Love,

Your Big Penguin

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To my SI students, Right now love to learn, for in times to come, you will need to learn to love.

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Hey

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Mr. Schmidt, you’re the greatest, and your shoes rock, always.

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5^th Period APUSH SIs:

The past few months have truly been an Era of Good Feelings.

Each and every one of you is so special to me.

Looking forward to finishing our bucket list.

Lindsey

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Noah P is the nicest guy you will ever meet!

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Ciara R-O Roses are red, I love you. Violets are purple, Not freaking blue.

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You’ll always be my babe, Taylor!

<3

-Baber

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Dear Read,

You are perfect in every way.

You’re so intelligent, but not cocky.

You’re so funny, but not rude.

You are amazing.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Sofi,

I love you more than Spongebob loves Krabby Patties.

(That’s a lot.)

Your Hobo

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Amelia and Michelle,

Let’s be iceberg lettuce together in the tossed salad of America. Love you two lots!

<3 Mandarin Orange

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Dear Allison, You’re sexy and you know it. Keep working it! Happy Valentine’s Day -Alena

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To: J

From: S

HEY I’M HAMLET

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE

BECAUSE I WANT OPHELIA UP

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Samantha, you are my fashion icon, my internet icon, my feminist thinker icon, my icon okay you are my inspiration and role model and you’re kind of the greatest person ever.

Love love love how you view the world, relate to others, act considerately, contemplate things, give book recommendations.

Though we didn’t meet until junior year, it has been a very wonderful two years indeed.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Your eyes are as fierce as a Beyonce strut.

Happy Valentines.

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Today is a reminder with its annual call that even though it can be hard to get back up it’s always worth it to fall. <3

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Dear Gabby, Four years has gone by way too fast. I love you and no distance is gonna tear us apart. Martha Graham ain’t got nothin’ on us! Love, Nic

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Dear BW and EZ,

I love econ buddies. You’re awesome.

Love

Eli

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Emma, you will always be my surrogate Little Penguin cuz u rock bby =)

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Dear Lloyd ****** III

You are so fly.

Just be my,

Valentine. You’re funny

Just like a bunny.

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My biggest fictional crush was Luna Lovegood. It would seem I have found her real life analogue. Pushing the comparison perhaps too much, this lonely valentine sees the moon in her eyes and the stars in her tilted smile. Orbit on. I’ll content floating out here in the Black, burn onto your blue.

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Amelia and Lindsey, You two are smart, beautiful women and your posts on Nicenet are so brilliant and intellectual and I read them in my free time. Is that weird? <3 Elena

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To: Friendee (KMT) Foreign feelings are like music to my ears. I never overflow with other people’s problems on emotions. I am a never ending pit waiting to be filled with the loads of your life. I’m always here. -Frienden

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Josh,

I’d pick your mangoes, if you know what I mean.

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Sophie, I can say plenty of things, but instead I’ll say just this one: You will change the world someday. I’m sure of it.

Thanks for inspiring and Happy V-Day.

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Dear Kendra,

I love you more than I used to love cake. And I really used to love cake… you’ve seen pictures.

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Meimei, Our inside jokes are too inappropriate for the UHS Perspective. But I just want to tell you that I love you. Black and yellow 4evah! <3 Nic

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Alice, Your beret rocks my socks

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Stephanie O, Are you a parking ticket? ‘Cause you have FINE written all over you.

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Carly,

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! If you need a Valentine, I’ll leave Harrison for you I’m so lucky to get to know you, cause girl, you’re amazing. Beautiful. Funny. And the best Inaugural dancing buddy ever! You’re such a great friend, and can always make me laugh. I’m so glad I have so many classes with you this year, and I hope it stays this way!

<3, Steph

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I love: Anahi, Luis & Luis, Kristian, Mickey, Lauren, Adriana, Destiny, Eric, Jesus, Josh.

- You guys are great amigos

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Eli, meow you doin’?

Stay  purrfect. <3

Xoxo

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Brinn,

I’d pick up my spaghetti for you.

-Justin RPG

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Shmonermelon and Teddybear, You guys are amazing and I love you.

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Kristin, Marie, Emma, Bailey, Ciara, Davy, Gabby, and Sara, You’re all llamarific! I hope you had an awesome day today! Lots of llamas and love, Sabina

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Shmanik, I luv u and ur smoothies and ur puzzle-completing skills. Glad we’re frands /m/

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Karina M,

I love staring at your face <3

-?

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Dearest April E,

I love you with a burning passion that will never die out. You are gorgeous and perfect and I love you. That is all.

-Love

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Jasmin D, If you were a burger at McDonald’s, you would be the McGorgeous

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Meilin,

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Coco Chanel said that. You’re classy, fabulous, kind, smart, and important, and much more. You’re the how-does-she-do-all-of-that-girl, the get-things-done-and-still-look-beautiful-girl. I am so in awe of you every day. Our friendship has been definitive for these past four years and I love you lots.

Love, Nutmeg

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Karen W, I hate sushi and I still salivate over your lunch. You manage to always be adorable with your dry, quirky humor! I still have your boots (your feet are tiny!), and I don’t think I can ever express how glad I am that it was you I’ve had social studies with every year! -Love, a Secret Admirer

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Azn, I must be a snowflake because I’m falling for you.

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Darling, I like you. Sincerely, ME

—————

I love you like Tobin loves yogurt.

-Happy V-Day

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Alejandro,

Thank you for being so amazing to me, even when I’m not the best to…well everyone. You manage to make me smile every day without even trying and it brightens up each and every day I get to spend with you. Keep being wonderful, okay? Everyone needs a little bit of your kindness once in a while—I’m just lucky enough to have it all the time. Happy 3 months and Happy Valentine’s Day!

<3 Sedona

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Brooke, Charlie, Lindsey, Ly, Robert, Sean + Zac,

You guys make 5th period worth coming to school for.

-Brinn

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To: Pointless Lovee I cannot And I will no And I should not Stop loving you. No matter how indifferent you are to me, I can’t stop my heart from swelling in my chest when you’re close, even when you don’t see me. So I’ll keep loving you. -Romantic lover

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Sara J, If you were a laser, you would be set on stunning.

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Dear Baby G, (Sarah)

You’re beautiful and I love you and I couldn’t figure out how to spell your last name so this is the best I’ve got. So, I really want to be able to dance like you because you’re talented and I kind of hate that, plus everyone loves you. I don’t know what else to say other than hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!

Love,

A not-so secret admirer

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Anna, you’re the best thing since sliced bread, I mean you’re like, whiter than sliced bread…but so much more fun to be around. Cheers to 8 years of friendship!

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Celina, I love you! How could I not when you are an amazingly talented dessert chef with a specialty in creme brulee? Or when you consistently and determinately talk to me about foreign affairs and travelling, regal me with funny stories and, are in love with my cats? How, when you are the only vegetarian who wouldn’t begrudge me for leading you down the path of being an omnivore? I will miss you so much next year, without our boba and multiple discussions on study abroad? -Your rather transparent, yet Secret Admirer

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Kimi, I’ve gotta thirst, baby, and you look like my Gatorade.

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Dear Sean,

Shave!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

-Male population

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Dear Lindsey and Brooke,

You are a reflection of the best in UHS. Thank you for your recent actions with regard to the UHS Confessions site.

With respect,

A UHS Faculty Member

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John M,

Your new haircut looks great and I’m sure everyone else agrees, but I miss watching your luscious hair blow in the wind when you ran down the halls.

-Yours truly

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Yurika, How did we not meet before this year? And how did we become friends so quickly? We should return to Cafe Marcel.

-Love, an admirer

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LIA!!!!!!!! Hi. I love you. You’re the bestest sister in the world. You’re the bestest person in the world. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Because you’re aaaaawwwwwwweeeeessssssssoooooooommmmmmmeeeeee. And smart. And bee-yoo-ti-ful. Yeah <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

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Dear Karen,

“You’re like the coolest person I know and you don’t even have to try.” I may not be Ellen Page, but the quote still applies.

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Peanut butter,

You’re more attractive when you’re chunky.

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Dear Amber, You are one pretty sexy beast and I’m lucky to call you a friend. You better have a great Valentine’s Day and eat a lot of chocolate! Love, Alena

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Gabby CF, I am honored to have been the only friend who bought a birthday present. Love you girl. We should do it again. You always have my devotion. -Your Secret Admirer

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Sophie C,

Your sense of style and your class make me admire you greatly. You never stop fighting for what you believe in, not even Justin Bieber/Ke$ha/Nicki Minaj. You improve me! I’m so lucky to get to spend my day with your pale, freckly, shining face. People tend to confide in you because you’re so understanding, sympathetic and non-judgmental. Sometimes your silliness makes me laugh but nevertheless I respect you so much. Thanks for being such a wonderful girlfriend.

“I’ll be your platinum, I’ll be your silver, I’ll be your gold…”

Love, Nancy Jane Harlan

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Dear Mr Herring, You are perfection. Your Hamlet finger puppets make us swoon. Love, Your second period fangirls

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Carly S is the most amazing person in the world! She deserves nothing but the best!

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Dear Sofi, Memememememe Love, A Special Someone

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LINDSEY,

You are beautiful and smart and wonderful and perfect and I love you. I couldn’t ask for a more amazing sister.

<3,

Amanda

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To Mariah,

You’re more amazing than you think. I am one of the luckiest people on the world to have known you since kindergarten…even if we didn’t know it. I am so proud to call you one of my best friends because you’ve been here for me since forever. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, or Thursday, whatever!

<3 Sedona

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I la you, Jessca

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My dear Miranda, You are beautiful, the way you smile, your adorable laugh, and your flawless personality. I savor every single second I have with you. When I am with you, it is total bliss. For every moment we are together, my heart grows fonder of you. This Valentine’s Day, I hope I can make you feel as special as you make me feel every day. Love, Ryan

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Charlie,

If I were your sempai, I would notice you.

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The

Awesome

Young

Lion

Onomatapoeia

Roars

Super

Excited

Desert

Only

Neverland

Ahhhhh

Krazy

Always

Enthusiastic

Teeth

Lexical

Yeah

Noodles

Some of these got away from me

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Dear Amanda,

You’re the Cory Matthews to my Shawn Hunter, the chips to my sandwich, the Mary Kate to my Ashley, the Lumiere to my Cogsworth. I love you more than you love Ed Sheeran or rapping to “Thrift Shop.” Next year without you is simply unimaginable. So here’s my published promise to you: many texts, phone calls, and Skype sessions. You are my best friend. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love,

Your Favorite Sister

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Dear Matt, You rock my sock off! Just one of them though. But that’s still pretty cool. -Will

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Katie! Well I hope this Valentine’s is special for you, you deserve it! You have been such an amazing best friend. I have so much fun with you and I can always count on you! If I could bring Kyle for you, I would! You guys are so cute together! Have fun! -Brandy PS- I’ll be your Valentine

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Alice,

YOU ARE PERFECT. And you really do give me wonderful advice. Never stop being awesome!

<3,

Amanda

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Gina M,

I was born to be with you.

<3 -Chem

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Elena,

From Drama and second period Herring’s freshman year to just second period Herring’s now, I have been grateful for our friendship. You are confident and beautiful and have good taste in television. I love being around you! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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To the dear, witty, and sick Brooke- Whom I do not dare coin as “my” dear, Who, although is sick, has not one less dear wit (I’m guessing, dear, though truly I don’t know a bit of it) -to be truthful, I thank you Miss T*****, for your guts-quite flavorful- and your tude-so youthful. But getting to the point, 7 lines overdue, Happy Valentine’s Day! From B to you!

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Nic,

Remember how in 5^th period that day I said I’d really miss you? I meant it. You are incredible.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Lindsey

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Mr. Herring,

Oreos are vegan!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Dear Jake,

You’re a stud

-Sean A

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Sofi and Juliana, You girls are my everything. Love me? Love, Your favorite blonde

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Tara Shea- You’re beautiful. And adorable. And I love you this much:

(it’s a never ending line) <3 Amanda Mae

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Karen W,

The raven-black of your shining locks glistens in the hot sun. A sheen of sweat glimmers on your brow as you labor up the hill. I watch from afar, my eyes following every motion. Walking behind you, I get too close. My hand almost reaches out, against my will and nearly-nearly-brushes against your straight, strong back…but then I run straight into you and my bag splits open, spilling the contents upon the grass at your feet. In the Kerfuffle, you turn, catch a glimpse of my horrified face, your mouth forms a small, perfect O as you realize who I am…you come towards me, a blazing look in your eyes…

I wake up. My eyelids flutter. I realize it had all been a dream. Alas, I had gotten so close that time…

Love from your SECRET ADMIRER.

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Dearest William, Our friendship has blossomed as has our love. Most friends are pigeons but you are a dove. Our interactions have given me much zeal. Our favorite day is Tuesday, don’t forget to wear teal! <3 Matt

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Dear Larn, While our man might be sweater boy, you are the sweeter girl, because you’re just the sweetest! U are a bo$$ and an avid donk fan, and I will NERMver forget you. <3 Your Valentine

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Brooke, I am so fortunate to have you in my life. You are an incredible thinkerwriterhumanbeingfriend. You are so considerate and confident and clever. Whenever people are around you, they’re enamored by your presence (as am I.) Mushy, goopy Valentines don’t have nearly enough sap for the amount of admiration and respect I have for you. Happy Valentine’s Day.

——————–

Daniel M <3

Taylor Swift knows what’s up…. you belong with me.

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Dearest Jenin, I love you bunches and bunches. You are so silly. Hey nonny, nonny, nonny! Flubbitdubbit. Love forever and always. Lessica

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6th period APUSH SIs, You guys are the best. Thanks for making me laugh everyday. Our conversations are the best. <3 <3 <3

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I am sorry to anyone who was offended by that stupid Facebook page. I didn’t create it or even post in it, but I figure we ought to spend more time lifting people up. High school is hard enough, and we’re all so friggin’ hormonal and angsty–why not just not point out the things that are wrong about other people? Love yourself, and maybe that will spill onto everyone else. Enjoy these four years, supposedly they will be the best times of our lives. <3

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Dear Elena, I like how you’re brilliant and beautiful and how your nails match this pink piece of paper and how we chat in English. Love, Amelia

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To Taylor G,

I love you so much. Thank you for being my best friend throughout these past years .You are the coolest person I know and keep doing what you do! No one deserves to have a wonderful day as much as you do! You are so beautiful and you make me happy and want to come to school. Okay this is fruity now so…yeah!

<3 Sedona

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Dear Lindsey B, You are a glowing, beautious, amazing person! Even if you are missing most of March (including my birthday!), I still love you! Keep stalking Ben Folds for me! -Secret or Not-So-Secret Admirer

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Dear Natalie Portman (Strawberry French Toast), When I look into your eyes, it’s like watching the night sky, or a b-e-a-utiful sunrise, there’s so much they hold. After an incredible beginning, I only hope that you are excited as I am to see where our senior year takes us, and know that I am thrilled to be taking the journey with you! Thanks for being your amazing, talented, funny, smart, gorgeous self! Yours truly, Optiman

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Lindsey, you are truly one of the most profound and intelligent people I’ve ever met and I am so grateful that we’ve become friends because you’re kinda the best and I think we’re soulmates. You are so premium.

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My dear Lessica, You are the sun to my moon, the pepperoni to my pizza, the macaroni to my cheese, the spoon to my fork. I love you forever and always <3 Love you more, Jenin

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Brandy, Happy Valentine’s Day! You’re my Valentine this year and I better be yours! ;D Remember “life is like a box of chocolates”, meaning that is what I want for V-Day! Shlove you, boo! Love and hugs, Katie <3

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Asha: You can be my Troy Bolton any day <3

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Sierra S, I love you a whole punch. Bruno

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Jasmin, You have such gorgeous hair. I just want to touch it.

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LIALIALIALIALIA,

Heyy! So, you are a super awesome person. I love how we talk and complain about life together. You are always so energetic and wonderful. Don’t ever change!

<3,

Amanda

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To whoever reads this, Please love yourself this year. Know that popularity and boyfriends or girlfriends won’t let you feel the love you yearn for. Be grateful for life and things you have, because you’ll never know how valuable it is until it’s gone. You may think this is another one of those “feel good” notes but please keep reading. If you think that ending your life is the right way out, please don’t do it! Think of all your wonderful, caring friends who love you for who you are, then make your decision. I hope you make the right choice. Lots of love, A loving friend who almost lost one <3 Happy Valentine’s Day! God Bless.

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Hailey, You are beautiful and I love you more every day we spend time together. our Skype dates will be epic, don’t you worry. The distance will be great next year but our friendship will prevail. Love your not so secret admirer, Kelly <3

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Daniel M, Thank you for being such a wonderful friend, classmate and SI for me these past three years. You’ve really helped me and you deserve to have a wonderful day! <3 Sedona

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Dear Sean’s SI group, I love you all so much. Love, Eli S

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Dear Sean’s SI group, I love you more than Eli does. Love, Sean A

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Remember that you are beautiful.

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Taylor, Tenacity, Josh, Sean, Maddy, and Veronica, Thanks for being such a great group of kids to work with. You rock! -Brinn

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Natalia N,

Guess what I’m excited for???

We are gonna have one heck of a summer. I only wish it would last longer. Well, without further ado,

Things I love about Nataliana:

1) Her freckles.

2) Her Irish dancing skills. (Even though they are elusive and only come out in times of great peril.)

3) Her general cuteness.

4) Her giggle.

5) Her optimism for the future + her love of life.

I can think of literally hundreds more, but this index card is not large enough. However, if I must close, it will be by saying that you and a few other friends are the only things that keep me going every day, warding off evil and generally saving the world I guess. I always light up when I see your sunny smile, + our friendship means everything to me.

Happy Valentine’s Day, lovely grrl!

Sincerely, the Pole.

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Dear Meilin <3 You’re kind of amazing. You’re so sweet and smart and funny, and just fabulous Don’t ever change gurl. -You know who dis is gurrl

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Dear Sean, You’re a cutie -Jake R

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Dear Amanda, When  you’re not in Psychology, my heart is empty. Thank you for lunches on Saturdays, complaining over the same things, and the conversations that manage to be deep and silly at the same time. You’re seriously the best. Love, Pink Freud

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Are you suffering from a vitamin deficiency? Maybe you need more VITAMIN ME.

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Teddy,

You mean so much to me, and I don’t know where I’d be without you. Seeing you just makes my day, every day. Hearing you say you love me makes me happier than I could have ever imagined. I love you <3

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Dear Amelia, Remember when you were Eugene and I was Patty? Thanks for sticking it out with vampires-don’t-look-in-mirrors jokes, blogging adventures and 2 in the morning heart to hearts. You are a beautiful human being inside and out. (Good thing you already know that because you’re not a vampire). Glad this could be said “in person.” <3

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Cats are beautiful whether they live in a house or under a classroom. –Mr. H

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Dear Eli S, What a body -Jake and Sean Love us!

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Ryan, I love the way you make me feel. I love how you always make me smile. I love the fact that you are always there. I love how you helped name my fish. I love how I’m completely comfortable around you. I love how you can speak openly to me. I love to tease you. I love your facial expressions. I love the butterflies you leave in my stomach. I love your hugs. I love your kisses. I love that you know me. I love how you listen. I love how perfect you are. I love how perfect we are. I love how we’re best friends. I love how we make all our friends want to cry because of our cuteness. I love how nerdy you are. I love how when I look into your eyes, it’s like watching the night sky, or a beautiful sunrise. I love how you don’t mind being mine and Madison’s third wheel. I love how we’re the same person. I love how you understand me. I love your welcomes. I love how you got that joke. I love how you try and let me win. I love the way our hands fit together. But most of all, I love you.

——————————

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Nutmeg/Paprika/Cumin. <3 <3 <3

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Johnathan, Johnathan W. that is, you are a really nice guy, your ideas are great, and well. I like you, a lot.

-Anonymous

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HEAD OVER HEELS – Trailer from Timothy Reckart on Vimeo.

Since 1929, the Oscar awards have been held to honor great entrepreneurship in filmmaking. 85 years later, the ceremonies are being held once more to commemorate a new set of great films and actors. It’s one thing to watch them on TV, but what about knowing one of the nominees? Tim Reckart, UHS class of ‘05, was always interested in filmmaking, and now he has something to show for it: an Oscar nomination. His film Head Over Heels is in the running to win the Best Animated Short award at this year’s Academy Awards on February 24th. I had the pleasure of an interview with this UHS alum to find out a little bit more about the man behind the film.

1. What got you interested in filmmaking?
When you’re a kid, you kind of cycle through various ideas of what you want to do when you grow up: I wanted to be a paleontologist, then a magician, then a children’s book author… Eventually my big hobby was making movies, which I did on an old VHS camcorder with my siblings. I was lucky to have a mom would let her 11-year-old use it! And I never outgrew making movies. I just kept spending more and more time on it. And in retrospect, filmmaking — and especially animation — has all of the stuff that got me excited about paleontology, magic, and writing children’s books.

2. What encouraged you to start the film club at UHS?
When I was a sophomore, a couple of UHS seniors had the idea of doing a film festival at the Loft, but nothing ever got set up. The idea stuck with me, and in my junior year I decided someone should start this film club, so I just went ahead and did it. That first film festival was a bit of a shambles, but it was also a ton of fun and hugely popular. So we made it a regular thing! I love the UHS Film Club because it provides a reason for busy UHS students to make great short films. Without the club, the only audience you normally have is your family, and it’s easy to get lazy in that situation. So by providing a big public audience and a huge, professional venue, the Film Club encourages a high standard.

3. How has your experience at UHS helped you reach your goals for a career and for life?
UHS provided a great preparation for college in terms of academics, obviously. The teachers are great, and just as importantly, the school’s culture does not punish good academic performance. Everyone at UHS is a nerd, so there’s no point trying not to be. The other wonderful thing about UHS which is not so obvious is that the faculty are willing to put a lot of trust in the students. I received a lot of encouragement and support while I was starting the film club, but the faculty never tried to take it over. They allowed it to be a student-run organization. That provided a great learning experience for me, and those management skills have been just as valuable as my academic preparation.

4. How did you come up with the idea for Head Over Heels? Was it inspired by true events?
In Rembrandt’s painting The Philosopher in Meditation, there’s a spiral staircase that looks like it could be used by someone living on the ceiling to climb down to the floor. I noticed this and started imagining a film about someone living on the ceiling. This image summed up a lot of thoughts I had been having recently: the challenge of understanding someone from a different religion, political party, or culture; the way some spouses seem to expect their marriage to fuel itself by some miracle of perpetual motion; the difficulty of being in a long-distance relationship, which I was doing at the time… All of these ideas seemed to fold into the idea of a husband and wife separated by gravity.

5. How did you create Head Over Heels? What effects did you use to create the atmosphere of the film?
It’s a stop motion film, so once the story was written we had to build every single item you see before we could start animation. Every object is built by hand in the film; even the wooden floorboards were cut, sanded, glazed, and laid on the floor one at a time. There was a crew of about 50 people total helping us on the build. Then, during the animation process, the cinematographer plans all the lighting setups, which contributes massively to the atmosphere of the film. In post-production, we used other tools to shape the feeling of the film. Sound design is a big one: different background sounds can cast a happy or gloomy feeling over the same scene. The music, of course, is very important as well. One lesser-known tool is color-grading, in which we take the finished film and slightly tweak the colors, making this shot darker, that shot slightly more blue, highlighting one corner of another shot to help guide the audience’s eye… When you have a unified vision for the film’s effect on the audience, all of these tools work together to shape the experience of watching the film.

6. Were there any times you got stuck in the middle of the filmmaking process? What did you do in these times of “writer’s block”?
In animation, you edit the film before you start animating. We make what’s called an “animatic”, which is a storyboard that you can watch like a film. This means that by the time we started making the film, all of the storytelling decisions were already made. This is a huge comfort as an animator, because you can be confident that the work you’re doing won’t be thrown out later.

7. How does it feel to nominated for the award for best animated short?
It’s hard to believe! I’ve dreamed of getting an Oscar nomination ever since I started making films. Now that it’s really happening, I don’t know exactly how to react. I suppose I’m very excited to see where this opportunity will lead me next.

8. If your film ends up winning the Oscar, how will you react to the new bar it sets for future productions?
It’s easy to get worried about your next project not being as good as the last one you did, but if I keep doing different things, challenging myself instead of trying to repeat a formula, I think I’ll manage to keep my eye on the current project instead of looking backward. Head Over Heels was the first time I tried to make a genuine, emotional film, so I stayed focused on that challenge. Next time, I suppose I’ll challenge myself by telling a longer, more complex story, or perhaps by doing something more experimental with the animation technique.

9. What advice would you give to a UHS student aspiring to be successful in the film or media industry?
I had doubts about whether to go to film school or not, and I think the path I took worked very well. As an undergrad, I decided to major in liberal arts (in my case, history and literature) instead of filmmaking because I thought there was still so much to learn about the world before I started to make films about it. It didn’t seem right to study form before content. Then as a graduate student I did a 2-year MA program in directing animation. Film school is definitely worth doing, and not because you “learn” how to make films! The biggest benefit of film school is being grouped together with talented, motivated artists who can work with you on making a film. Making movies is an inherently collaborative process, but it can be really hard to find collaborators out in the real world when you don’t have any money to pay them. Film school makes that easy because the admissions process ensures that you’re surrounded by talented people.

For more information on Head Over Heels and to see the official trailer, visit the official website, like the Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.

Q: What are the responsibilities of Party Chair?

The Party Chair is the person who is in charge behind the scenes. We have to make sure that everybody has a job, because we can waste no time. Time is precious, so everybody has to be doing something to help out the party. Along with that, we have to assign the term papers (the research papers that everyone in the class has to write), and those papers basically make up our platform. It’s a lot harder than I thought, there is a lot involved with compromise and making sure that the majority of the party is happy and getting a lot of input about what they want the party to be.

Q: What is the hardest part about your job?

I think that the best part about being Party Chair is that you aren’t the face of the party, the other four party leaders are. So that alleviates a lot of pressure, but at the same time, you are in charge. If anything happens with the platform or the propaganda, I have to take responsibility for that. Even the actions of the people in the party are my responsibility; if something happens, people come to me because it is my job to fix it.

Q: When the juniors see “Puzzles,” what do you want them to think of?

The most obvious one is “piecing the future together”, building a better America and a better tomorrow. I want them to think of us as a crisp, clean, sophisticated, and classy party. I want them to know that they can trust us to produce the best things, and that we’ll make sure that everything comes together in the best possible way.

Q: What is the dynamic like between you and the leaders in your party?

It’s actually really great. We’ve all known each other for a really long time, so just spending time with the guys and Lauren has helped us develop a better friendship. We spend a lot of time grading papers together and such. We all get along so well; Mitch and Drew have been “besties” forever so it’s so great having that energy around us.

Q: What qualities do you think the parties look for in their leaders when they elect them to office?

I remember when we were doing the nominations, they focused a lot on presentability and marketability and how well-known they are. Most importantly, we look at what they can bring to the table, because at the end of the day, they’re not doing a term paper but rather doing so much more, so we have to make sure that they are well-spoken and articulate. Creativity is a big part of it, obviously the class comes together and comes up with really cool ideas, but we had to make sure that the party leaders were respected so that they could convey the ideas of the class really well and have people listen  to them.

Staff writer Nic Varela (’13) finds Seuss’ rhythm with Party Chair Sam Browne.

Q: What are the responsibilities of Party Chair?

Making sure everybody gets their work done, as well as managing the party’s finances, and contributing to propaganda/campaigning ideas.

Q: What is the best and worst part about your job?

The best thing is seeing the whole campaign grow from nothing into something huge. The worst thing is the lack of sleep the night before the Round Robins.

Q: When the juniors see “Seuss,” what do you want them to think of?

The best thing is seeing the whole campaign grow from nothing into something huge. The worst thing is the lack of sleep the night before the Round Robins.

Q: What is the dynamic like between you and the leaders in your party?

We have an excellent dynamic, we meet several times a week to make sure our party is on track.

Q: Where did your party name come from or what inspirations brought about your name?

Q: Where did your party name come from or what inspirations brought about your name?

Photo Credit: David Benton

University High School English teacher Christopher Nelson was recently included in Best New Poets 2012. Though some only know Mr. Nelson as an English teacher for sophomores and seniors, Mr. Nelson is also a dedicated poet. He graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona in 2011. Nelson also interviews poets on his poetry blog, Under a Warm Green Linden. In addition, Nelson has published one chapbook of poetry, Blue House.

At the end of Mr. Nelson’s graduate studies, the University of Arizona nominated him for Best New Poets 2012. Every year, the University of Virginia compiles this anthology of poems from poets who have not yet published a full-length book. Poets can be nominated by a magazine, writing program, or they can self-nominate through the Best New Poets website. This year, over 1715 submissions of 1-2 poems were submitted. Nelson’s poem, “Fidelity,” was one out of 50 poems included in the anthology.

The Perspective is reprinting “Fidelity” below with permission. For more information about Mr. Nelson, read his interview with the Perspective here.
 
—–
 
Fidelity
 
 
Night comes first to the innermost
branches of the elm, then hedgerows, then entire lawns.
 
 
My neighbor gets ready for bed, her one lit window and the red pulse
 
 
of a radio tower above the bay. Our backyards are small
and touch each other along one side.
 
 

EF Educational Tours, the world leader in international education and student travel, today announced the recipients of the 2013 EF Global Citizen Scholarship program, which is designed to unite high school students from around the world by breaking down barriers of culture, language and geography, while helping students develop global awareness, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

“The 2013 class of Global Citizen Scholars is an impressive group of high school students from across the U.S. and Canada who represent the next generation of global leaders,” said Shane Steffens, President of EF Educational Tours U.S.

In celebration of Earth Day and the 2013 National Environmental Education Week, this year’s Global Citizen Scholars will travel to Costa Rica on a ten-day immersive, educational tour to experience Costa Rica’s rich and diverse eco-systems while studying the country’s successful environmental policy initiatives. The trip culminates in a two-day leadership summit where students from the U.S., Canada and Costa Rica will collaborate to design potential solutions to key environmental issues, and hear keynote speeches from former Vice President Al Gore, former Costa Rican President Dr. Oscar Arias and noted environmental advocate Severn Cullis-Suzuki.

“Each scholar has a unique passion for the environment. They recognize the local implications of critical global issues, and they’re prepared to apply what they learn at the Global Student Leaders Summit to the environmental issues facing them in their own local communities,” said David Conklin, President of EF Educational Tours Canada.

Criteria for the 2013 Global Citizen Scholarship included a video or essay submission, addressing the global implications of an environmental issue and providing ideas to solve it. After receiving more than 200 submissions from across the U.S. and Canada, a panel of global education experts selected the scholars through a series of assessments and interviews, judging the students on creativity, inventive ideas and their demonstration of global citizenship. For more information on the EF Global Citizen Scholarship, visit eftours.com/globalcitizen or check out the Global Citizen Facebook page to see the scholars’ video and essay submissions.

Below is the full list of 2013 Global Citizen Scholarship recipients:

• Lena Blackmon of Vail, Ariz., is a sophomore at University High School
• Kristin Caddick of Gastonia, N.C., is a junior at Gaston Day School
• Valli Chidambaram of Rockville, Md., is a junior at Poolesville High School
• Brandon Collier of St. John’s, Newfoundland, is a senior at Holy Heart of Mary High School
• Calvin Dretske of Winona, Minn., is a junior at Winona Senior High School
• Marianne Goudreault of Rosemère, Quebec, is a senior at Externat Sacré-Coeur
• Keara Graham of Langley, British Columbia, is a senior at Walnut Grove Secondary School
• Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky of Vancouver, British Columbia, is a sophomore at Lord Byng Secondary School
• Bochen Han of Burlington, Ontario, is a senior at Robert Bateman High School
• Remington Hill of Villanova, Pa., is a freshman at Harriton High School
• Paige Kellner of Dundas, Ontario, is a senior at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
• Alana Krug-MacLeod of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is a sophomore at Aden Bowman Collegiate Institute
• Sarah Mason of Guelph, Ontario, is a sophomore at Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute
• Shirley Miao of Toronto, Ontario, is a senior at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
• Emma Miller of Puyallup, Wash., is a junior at Puyallup High School
• Alexandra Molina of Covina, Calif., is a sophomore at Saint Lucy’s Priory High School
• Brandon Muschlitz of Gahanna, Ohio, is a senior at Gahanna Lincoln High School
• Erikka Olson of Mount Verson, Wash., is a sophomore at Burlington Edison High School
• Alexandra Pipe of Ottawa, Ontario, is a junior at Elmwood School
• Noelle Rutland of St. Petersburg, Fla., is a senior at St. Petersburg High School