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By Bridget Valls

Another Valentine’s day issue, another celebrity crush article, another student I find who owns a lifesize (kinda creepy) cutout of the celebrity of their choosing…

Poor Josh Hutcherson has no clue that a HOMEMADE cardboard cutout of him was sitting in the bathroom of junior Savannah Jones, also known as SJ. It took Savannah hours to cut out individual pictures of Josh Hutcherson, inch by inch, and glue them to cardboard. I can respect the effort, I guess. 

And as bad as I feel for Josh Hutcherson, I feel even worse for Savannah’s dad. Savannah told me that she was keeping Josh Hutcherson in her bathroom–“he lived in my shower”–she told me. (He is not alive, but she is a bit delusional, clearly). She kept him in there because she was scared and could not fall asleep with him staring at her at night. Her dad (unaware of this cutout) walked into her bathroom and thought a real random man was standing in her shower. Savannah was quick to explain that it was a cutout, but her poor dad will never walk into her bathroom again. (Perhaps that was her long-term strategy?)

What gave her this idea was binge-watching the Hunger Games series two summers ago. And this gave her what she called a “bad obsession” with him. SO much so that she had a TikTok folder with 130 edits of Josh Hutcherson. So the most logical cure to this was making a life-size cutout… which she was quick to say “was not that hard because he is pretty short.”

“It took 12 hours, realistically total,” she said pretty casually, which concerned me. If only the average Lovett student spent this much time studying a week, our averages would probably be much higher…

A year later, SJ told me she was “broke” but really wanted a sweatshirt that Evvie Bresnahan (11) was selling. With no money to pay for this, she offered the only thing she could, the cutout… Evvie was quick to take her up on the offer, and he was moved into Evvie’s closet where he lives today. Who knew that a homemade cutout of Josh would become a type of currency to buy clothes? (We’ll know the economy has officially tanked if we are all trading celebrity cutouts and sweatshirts.)

Speaking of childhood movies like The Hunger Games, we received a significant response on the survey about students’ childhood crushes. 

We had a whopping number of people who said that Henry Danger (played by Jace Norman) was their childhood crush, and as always, Megan Fox was featured countless times. If you remember last year’s article, this will seem very familiar. 

As weird as the question of a cartoon character crush is…. I was surprised by how many people responded without hesitation. We had TEN students respond Nick Wilde. And as a victim of seeing the Zootopia 2 edits, I honestly totally understand. “He’s SO hot,” Sunjna Hebbar (11) told me when I mentioned his name. “I’ll be the bunny to his fox,” Lane Rodts (11) was sure to add on with no shame. Cartoon adjacent is Isabella Ying’s crush on Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat. Unlike others who might admire him for his high cheekbones and pecs, she finds him funny.

And I do not even want to address the response of “Clifford the big red dog.” That is just wrong. That probably belongs in the “hear me out” category. Well, he certainly would make a cozy afternoon cozier.

For anybody who isn’t familiar with the term “hear me out,” it means someone who isn’t necessarily conventionally attractive, but you still find attractive for some odd reason. (In other words, it’s the heart wants what it wants category.)

Starting with the political figures mentioned, we had students submit, “Young Joe Biden,” “Alexander Hamilton on the 10 dollar bill,” and “​​Thomas Jefferson in his peak.” Honestly, I do not even know how people thought these up, but Honors Amstud can make you delusional in this way. Zarin Sapra (11), while studying for her final exam, texted on her class groupchat “lowkey Alexander Hamilton.” I hope these students are just delusional due to the lack of sleep you get when taking that class. (Or perhaps they all just have a crush on Lin-Manuel Miranda?)

Ella Harvey(10) told me her celebrity crush was young Hayden Christiansen (Anakin Skywalker). Mr. Newman was quick to say, “Strange obsession.” Ella did not seem fazedbecause she talks about this a decent amount in the newspaper with Mr. Newman (who despises the Star Wars prequels).

Many people also have had NEWFOUND celebrity crushes from very recent shows. Rob Rausch from Love Island Season 6 has made a huge impact on teenagers across the nation. And this was evident on the survey, Maiya Tomlin (11) told me. “When they showed Rob, I thought he was cute, but nothing special, then I found out he wrangled snakes for a living and that made him way more attractive,” Maiya said.  Maiya also knows him from being friends with one of her favorite influencers, TaraYummy. “I wish I was Tara,” Maiya said.

While Mason Thames is not a reality TV star, he  has been in 3 number 1 ranked movies in the past year as well as in a lot of people’s hearts. “Mason Thames because he is tall and cute,” a respondent said. And from this year’s season of Dancing with the Stars, Robert Irwin gained a lot of attention. “I like his Australian accent, but I wish he were taller,” said Ella.

Ultimately, writing this article made me realize that people DEFINITELY have different types, and some of these types are VERY questionable, but I won’t yuck your yum. 

I mean, I wouldn’t want anyone telling me I shouldn’t have a crush on Jake Paul…

By Zoe Robinson

When you survey a group of high school students about their favorite love songs, you’d stereotypically expect to see a majority of them being happy and upbeat, focusing on the joys of love. However, our Valentine’s Day survey revealed that here it is not the case. 

Putting the responses into the calculator, we found that the majority of students’ favorite songs were about yearning and longing, and 57% of students’ favorite lyrics were about people you can’t have. So then, the question is, what’s up with all the sadness? While we can chalk part of the answer up to the typical turbulence of high school love, we can also dive a little deeper into how we relate to music as a community.

An article from last year, Deconstructing The Love Song: How And Why Love Songs Work, from Udiscovermusic.com, explains that while love songs are fun to listen to and daydream about, the real reason why they work is because they help us process our own emotions. “Most people can’t express their feelings, so a good love song has to make them say, ‘Oh my God, that’s just the way I feel,’ ” songwriter Cynthia Weil explained, which goes hand in hand with how hard it is to express all we feel as teenagers. From a scientific perspective, the article also includes research stating that tragic love songs in particular don’t necessarily depress us, but trigger beneficial empathetic hormones that allow us to relate to what they’re singing about. 

All of these insights really reflect the results from the survey, in which only one artist dominated in the results of all 3 questions we asked (favorite love songs, favorite lyrics in love songs, and ‘our songs’ that you might share with someone): Taylor Swift. 

As one of the current queens of pop, so much of what Taylor Swift writes focuses on the intensity of her relationships. Mentioned 9 times across these questions, all of the songs cited, including Betty, Fortnight, and Cardigan, have some kind of focus on longing or heartbreak in love. Not only are they about feeling disconnected and lost in relationships, but also fearing losing the connection you have, with one of the favorite lyrics being “please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere,” from New Years Day. 

However, just like the real high school experience, we can see a wide range of emotions in the songs that people here at Lovett enjoy. One of the other most popular Taylor Swift songs mentioned as a favorite was Daylight, a song that focuses on the brightness and clarity that love brings, referenced in lyrics like, “I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I saw you, I don’t wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you.” 

Beyond Taylor Swift, many other songs reflected the emotional range we can see. Jeff Buckley’s, Lover You Should’ve Come Over, one of the quintessential love songs for yearners, was mentioned multiple times. Specifically, the lyric, “My body turns and yearns for a sleep that won’t ever come,” shows Buckley yearning as much as one possibly can, and wanting to sleep in the same bed as the girl he loves. The happy songs also talk about the joys of love being expressed to their fullest potential, with songs like Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You are, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Your Love’s Like cited as students’ favorite lyrics. 

One key idea in many of the songs is vulnerability, especially in one of the most popular songs mentioned, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, with the lyric, “I just want you to know who I am.”

This sense of longing and vulnerability is key to the art of the love song, whether it be sad or happy, and this has been true for a long time. So long in fact that we can even see it in the Nible. While many songs and stories from this ancient era can feel distant and confusing, it’s also important to recognize the key similarities between their narratives and messages today. When I spoke to Reverend Brown about this, he pointed out the book “Song of Solomon,” which he described as “graphic in a poetic way,” as Solomon describes a passionate lust between himself and another woman, almost seeming to objectify her. “Remember,” he reminded me, “times were very different back then, so there’s a lot about owning women that was cultural, but many of the main themes here are similar to today.”

According to Reverend Brown, not only are there romantic love songs and poems in the Bible, but the entire text is a sort of love song from us to God. David’s book of Psalms, one of the most popular books of the Bible, is a call to God for divine love and comfort, and a plea for God to give that love back to him. “The Psalms sort of have every bit of human emotion, right?” Reverend Brown said. “There’s anger and grief and joy… and love… there’s lots of psalms that talk about the love between God and the people. In my opinion, it’s the whole arc of the Christian Bible, right?” We can definitely see the themes he talks about mirrored in contemporary love songs; whether we want to be with another person or God, we want to love them and be loved back.

While on the surface it may seem surprising that so many favorite love songs are sad, it actually makes sense. This time in our lives is so turbulent, and all we want is to enjoy and figure out how we feel. This is why love songs aren’t just about romance: in truth, they’re about connection, growth, and learning how to feel. What could be more high school than that?

By Micah Ingram

Freshman year is an interesting time for relationships. Depending on the year, coupling up among ninth graders can either feel extremely popular or almost nonexistent. As a freshman myself, I’ve noticed that relationships tend to fall into two categories: the quick, non-meaningful “talking stage” that somehow manages to blow up in what feels like two minutes, or the quiet, slow burn that everyone sees coming long before it actually happens.

Diarra LaBarrie and Benny Crane fall into the second category. Their slow burn lasted a full two years (yes, the fuse was lit in seventh grade), which might be the longest I’ve seen so far. By the time they officially got together, it wasn’t shocking or dramatic. Instead, it felt expected, almost like the final scene of a movie everyone had already predicted.

For me, slow burns are the best kind of relationship. Not just in books or movies, but in real life too. Taking time to actually know someone before jumping into a relationship makes it more meaningful, even if it doesn’t last forever. 

I touched on this a little in the interview, asking about the unique experience of being a freshman couple at Lovett, and they both expressed a refreshing self-assurance. They’ve cultivated a healthy perspective, prioritizing their own connection over others’ opinions.  

Despite their confidence, their relationship also comes with a few challenges. As freshmen, they expressed that driving was the main concern, along with their busy schedules. 

Because I knew Diarra and Benny personally before interviewing them, the process felt comfortable from the start. However, if I were an outsider watching the interview, I would say they were a bit hesitant at first. As the questions went on, they slowly became more relaxed and, admittedly, a little cringy in the way only happy couples can be. Still, that awkwardness made the conversation more genuine and fun.

I began the interview with simple, introductory questions to better understand their relationship. One thing I had noticed even before sitting down with them was their shared love for basketball. While they are very different people, they both play varsity basketball at Lovett, which is a major part of their lives and something they clearly connect over.

It helps that they have similar abilities when it comes to hoops. In Diarra’s words, and I quote, “we were both kinda good, so it really helps us bond on a deeper level.” 

Despite the whirlwind of practices, games, and schoolwork, they both remain grounded by prioritizing making time for each other, understanding each other’s schedules, and having a mutual understanding of each other’s needs. 

Hopefully, Benny will be able to meet one of hers, which, according to Benny, is to go on a dream date to a bowling alley.  

When I asked about their couple’s song, they mentioned that they actually have a shared playlist. Their song, they said, would be “Always and Forever” by Mariah the Scientist, which is a fitting choice that reflects their calm, steady dynamic. 

That same sense of ease carries over into how they navigate their relationship day-to-day. I asked what advice they would give to other couples, and they said communication. When I asked them what they liked about each other, Benny said Diarra is very easy to talk to, and Diarra likes that he cares. 

I then transitioned into some quick “This or That” questions that were a breeze for them, and ultimately learned that they are both introverts/extroverts and prefer texting over calling. 

This same easy connection extends to their broader family life on campus. With siblings Kai Labarrie and Kennedy Crane also attending the Upper School at The Lovett School, the pair finds themselves in a constant balancing act of family and independence. Though they admit having their siblings so close can be ‘slightly annoying’ at times, they’ve found that the shared experience has only strengthened their bond. 

Ultimately, it’s this blend of honest communication and family loyalty that defines their dynamic, both as a couple and as part of the larger Lovett community.

By Mariella Bishop and Angelina Ricker

BAM, you asked your person of interest out, and they said yes—you got a date. Good job! The hard part is over now, right? Wrong. Now you have to actually find a place to go on that date. You didn’t think that far ahead, did you?

Going to a movie theater? While it is historically a pretty common first-date location, it can be hard to have a conversation without getting popcorn thrown at you for disturbing the movie. (You also have to be concerned about some kind of graphic scene suddenly appearing on the screen and making things awkward.)

You’ll leave the building knowing less about your date than when you walked in. Even worse, what if they hate a movie you like (or vice versa) and you have to spend the rest of the evening hanging out with someone with terrible taste. 

So, maybe a nice dinner? Also another common date idea, but it also has its pitfalls. If it’s an expensive, long-line type of restaurant where you need a reservation, maybe it’s too fancy for a first date. But going somewhere like a fast food place could be too casual, too trashy, or cheap. Remember, you have to impress your date. When taking your date out, you also need to be aware of their preferences. For example, going to a theme park when your date hates roller coasters, or haunted houses, will probably end with you ghosted. 

So to help you avoid getting dumped, we went to different first date places, many of which you suggested on the survey would be auspicious beginnings for a relationship, to get first hand experience of what it would be like to have that first romantic moment.

Almost half of the answers that we received from the survey were ones involving food. But since we are car-less froshy brokies, we only made it to a cafe, bartaco, and a home-made dinner. 

The cafe was really empty, which, to be honest, only added to the awkwardness. We both got matcha lattes (with feminist literature ofc..), as it was too late for coffee (we are very responsible with our post-5:00PM caffeine intake). The biggest takeaway we got from this experience was that you should NOT go to a cafe for a first date unless both of y’all can talk for a really long time. Side note: make sure you like the drink you pick and get off your phone!!

Bar Taco is mainly popular for its unique blend of “coastal-inspired street food,” as their website puts it. It’s a very pleasant environment to have a chat, while also enjoying its classic tacos. It’s not too fancy but not too scrappy for a first date, and it had a surprisingly casual aesthetic. The workers were very nice, the food even better, and the drinks were fresh, although a little pricey. The place wasn’t too packed: it was mainly filled with small groups of friends, a few couples, and even a few people enjoying their meal by themselves. Overall, we can see why Bartaco was such a popular choice in the survey. It held up to its standards, making it a seemingly good first date spot if you want to sit down and chat with a meal.

As for the more homebound meal, we got together one weeknight at Angelina’s house for a nice little supper. We had aspirations to cook our meal, but some of us can’t cook. And so we pushed the easy button and pulled the butter chicken out of the fridge my mom made the night before. On the positive side, the time we saved allowed us to get to know each other more. Like for example, Angelina chops with her right hand. And Mariella would like to be a better volleyball player so she doesn’t get benched. Also, Angelina cleaned up, which reflected well on her character.

So what else did Lovett students recommend?

People either wanted a nice sit-down meal or a relaxing date, while the other half wanted an activity to do to help erase the awkwardness. Some of the most common answers were going to the aquarium, going bowling, walking around a shopping center like Ponce or Avalon. You get the idea. The most frequent answer was probably the aforementioned Bartaco. 

On the other hand, going to a sports game is pretty fun–unless, of course, your date roots for the opposing team. You not only get the opportunity to bond over your passion for sports, but you also get the chance to get on the kiss cam. If you ever are in this situation, DO NOT fumble. (And don’t be with your boss.) But all things considered, it should be easy in a place like this, where the awkwardness fades as you cheer for your favorite team! 

Activities also took up half the list. We attempted to go to Sparkles, everyone’s childhood skating rink, but the smell and the staff, that looked like they’d rather be a crime scene cleaner than work there, drove us away. On the plus side, it was really cheap. So have at it. 

Meanwhile, if you want a more active date spot, such as amusement parks, escape rooms, and even mini golf, then we have a few places. Walking around was a very common response from the survey, which makes sense as a first date. Atlantic Station or Ponce City Market are nice places to walk around with your date, but if you are under the age of 21, try not to get caught by security who lurk around and ask where your guardian is. We went to a restaurant called Gyu Kaku, which is a Japanese grill restaurant located in the middle of Atlantic Station. While the price can be high for a first date, ranging around 100 dollars in total, being able to cook your food was quite fun (and you can tell a lot about a person by their meat and veggie choices). Another thing to consider about Atlantic Station: If you want to go ice skating, make sure it’s cold enough for that. When we went, we were essentially skating in the ocean.

Some of the other survey responses were quite… interesting. Shout out to whoever said that the State Juvenile Detention Center would be a good spot for a first date! The survey was anonymous, but you know who you are. The Juvenile Detention Center doesn’t seem too fun of a date spot, but everyone has different ideas of first dates.

After experiencing many of these first date spots, we think we’ve come to one conclusion. Activities are generally better for first dates, as they can avoid awkward situations and they force you to work together. Additionally, small talk is much easier when it doesn’t take up the whole time. Dinner visits are really good for later dates, maybe towards the middle of dating. And cafes? We really don’t recommend it. Just get the drink to go.