Clare Struzziery, Staff Writer
February 14, 2024
With Valentine’s Day upon us, Nobles students are more aware than ever of the couples in their midst. As new relationships bloom and others continue strong, some bold students aren’t afraid to express their affection at school. Sad singles walk with their heads down through the Henderson Arts Center or the library stacks, hoping to save themselves from glimpses of happy couples. What’s sweet to these enraptured pairs can be disheartening to lonelier students. Public displays of affection (PDA) are becoming rampant at school, and The Nobleman was compelled to investigate these community offenses.
So, where is PDA most pervasive? In third place: the library stacks. Here, more scholarly couples can often be seen studying together atop the shelves, or more commonly, in between them. The second-deadliest location is the alcoves, specifically, the “little alcoves” across from Gleason Hall. “They stroke each other’s legs in the little alcoves,” said Leah Farb (Class III) of multiple offending pairs. Finally, the most encouraging habitat for PDA on campus is an artistic haven. “Right when you walk by that painting of Bob Henderson, you’ve entered the realm,” Annie Lopez (Class II) said.
PDA seems to elicit a variety of reactions from students. “I think it’s really gross,” Farb said. This blunt sentiment expresses what many students may be thinking as they are faced with yet another couple taking up the entire path to the Castle while walking slowly and looking into each others’ eyes. Farb is not alone in this feeling. Other students find these exhibits of love more tolerable. “Sometimes it grosses me out but it’s always funny to see,” Alex Munoz (Class IV) said.
Accounts of campus PDA range from descriptions of repeat offenders to memories of moments that border on sweet. “There’s just two people who are always on top of each other,” Munoz said. Everyone has a couple they just can’t seem to avoid. However, when PDA is less physical, it becomes more palatable to passersby. “I was walking to assembly, and it’s always crowded, especially in the mornings. And [REDACTED] stopped to give [REDACTED] a bouquet of roses,” Ikram Abdulle (Class IV) said. This is a perfect example of a very public but charming way to express appreciation for a significant other at school.
This Valentine’s Day, whether you are avoiding PDA like the plague or maybe even engaging in it yourself, take this advice to ensure a survivable day for yourself and others. If you would rather not see happy couples enjoying each other’s presence, make sure to avoid the “big 3”: the library stacks, the “little alcoves,” and of course, the Henderson Arts Center. If you do happen to find yourself wanting to express your affection for someone, make sure that you remember that though it may feel like it, you and your significant other are not alone at school. Try to express your affection in less physical ways, and your classmates will thank you. Think “bouquet of roses” and not “stroking legs.”
(Photo Credit: Zack Mittelstadt)
