By Michaela Etienne and Val Pierre
There are three holidays each year that almost everyone looks forward to: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day. Since we’ve already celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving, it’s now time for Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day isn’t simply a day where you give each other cards, boxes of candy, a stuffed animal, or bouquet of flowers. Valentine’s Day originally started off with martyr St. Valentine who had secretly dedicated himself to helping Christian couples wed. Thanks to St. Valentine’s sacrifice, people all over the world are able to marry and share their love with the world. We went around the school trying to get to know the different couples Apopka High School has to offer.
Sophomores Daniel Harshman and Miranda Prieto
Daniel Harshman and Miranda Prieto are two beloved sophomores who just happen to have found their love in the Apopka High School Band room. For Daniel, it was like love at first sight, but he never advanced to her ask her out—at least not until four months ago on October 2, 2017.
What is your favorite thing about your significant other?
“My favorite thing about him is how he always treats me like I’m a queen,” said Miranda. “My favorite thing about her is how her smile lights up my day no matter how bad I feel,” added Daniel.
What did you have planned for Valentine’s Day?
When asked about her plans, Miranda stated that, “I plan to make him this big Hispanic dinner that grandma taught me how to make.”
What did you get her for Valentine’s Day?
“An expensive necklace—that bih [the necklace] will have like gold and stuff so it’s pretty wild…” This young pair will most likely win the superlative for Best Couple, in their senior year.
Where do you see yourselves in the future?
“I can see us together for a long time and making a life together,” exclaimed Miranda. Daniel believes so as well.
Seniors Shelby Oldaker and Maliek Jackson
This lovely pair met in their 11th grade English class. They were friends at first, but nothing could stop them from falling for each other. On January 1, 2017(12:00 AM on the dot), Jackson asked Oldaker out under the lights of the fireworks at a family party. These 13 months—or 409 days if you want to be technical, have been filled with nothing but love and appreciation for each other. What’s cuter than a basketball player and a dancer?
What is your favorite thing about your significant other?
“He never lets me forget how much he loves me,” said Shelby. Maliek added that, “She never gives up on me when I give up on myself.”
Where was your first date?
“Jeremiah Italian Ice on December 22, 2016,” said Maliek
What did you have planned for Valentine’s Day?
Shelby said, “We’re going to see Fifty Shades Freed.” Maliek simply adds that they are going to dinner.
What did you get her for Valentine’s Day?
“A movie ticket to see Fifty Shades.”
Where do you see yourselves in the future?
“Hopefully married and have children,” exclaimed Shelby. Maliek agreed saying, “Married with a big house, white picket fence, and kids.”
Senior CJ O’Brian and Junior Avery Wright
This amazing couple met in the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) club here at Apopka. CJ and Avery are two enthusiastic individuals who could be your favorite OTP (one true pair). On January 13, 2018, Avery asked CJ out and they became one of the cutest couples at AHS.
What is your favorite thing about your significant other?
“My favorite thing about him is the humor, he’s always making me laugh and smile,” explained CJ. Avery adds that, “my favorite thing about CJ is his personality, he makes feel like everything’s okay.”
Where do you see yourselves in the future?
“I don’t see us breaking up anytime soon, but as long as I have him right now, I’m alright,” explains CJ.
What did you have planned for Valentine’s Day?
“We planned to see Black Panther.”
Senior Hannah Collins and Sophomore Jewel Strobridge
Meeting through mutual friends, “Ham” (Jewel’s nickname for Hannah) and Jewel began their journey December 15, 2016. For two talented athletes, Hannah playing softball and Jewel playing soccer and flag football, they are one fit pair.
What is your favorite thing about your significant other?
“One of my favorite things about her is how she pushes me to be a better student and all around person every single day,” explains Jewel. Her girlfriend also answers saying, “One of my favorite things about Jewel is her personality.”
Where was your first date?
“It was at the overpass in Apopka—we sat there for hours just talking and stuff…”
Where do you see yourselves in the future?
“Well I mean, she’s going to college—if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be…”
What do you plan on doing for Valentine’s Day?
“Going to the movies… we both have practice though cause we both play sports… [Chuckles]”
Senior Kaila Hunter and Saypadia (Deuce) DeSaussure
This lovely pair met in the hallways of Wolf Lake Middle School. Their love journey began a year and eight months ago, and will hopefully continue for a very long time.
What are your future goals with one another?
“I mean we plan on being together for now and for the rest of our lives, of course, realistically that could change, but hopefully not.”
What do you expect to get on Valentine’s Day?
“Everything I want.”
What about Kaila attracted you?
“Her hair was curly.”
What’s your favorite thing about her?
“Her personality.”
What do you plan on doing or giving her for Valentine’s Day?
“To be continued…..”
Seniors Garret Evans and Kayla Tapscott
Volleyball Player Kayla met her Corazon (her heart), Garret, in Spanish class their freshman year. They are one of the very few who have been together since the beginning of their high school experience.
How long have you guys been dating?
Kayla: “3 years and 4 months.”
How did you guys meet?
Garret: “Spanish class freshman year with Mr. Moss… love that man.”
What are your future goals together?
Garret: “Married and have like 3 kids…”
Kayla: “2 kids.”
Garrett: “And have an English bulldog.”
Kayla: “…and a Golden Retriever.”
What did you guys get each other for Valentine’s Day?
Both: “Give each other cards.”
English teacher Mrs. Houvouras and Art teacher Mr. Houvouras
One of our favorite faculty couples, Mr. and Mrs. Houvouras, met in college and have been married for 23 years.
How did you and Mr. Houvouras meet?
“We went to Florida State together and we were actually in the same service fraternity together, so we were brothers.”
How long have you guys been together?
“We were friends and then we started dating 1990 or 1991, so we’ve been together since then.”
What’s your favorite thing about Mr. Houvouras?
“Oh so many…he’s hysterical, it’s never boring around Mr. Houvouras and he’s also extremely caring and more sensitive than he lets people see.”
What’s your favorite thing about Mrs. Houvouras?
“I like everything about her.”
What do you plan on doing for Valentine’s Day?
Mrs. Houvouras: “We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because every day is Valentine’s Day with Mr. Houvouras.”
Mr. Houvouras: “Not much; we don’t usually do anything on Valentine’s Day because it’s overpriced and people price gouge on Valentine’s Day. We like to do nice things for one another throughout the year.”
Calculus teacher Mrs. Anderson and P.E. teacher Mr. Anderson
Yet another one of your favorite faculty couples, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, also met in college and have been married for 23 years.
Where did you meet each other?
“In college in Springfield, Missouri.”
What’s your favorite thing about Mr. Anderson?
“He’s funny and whenever I’m too serious or too stressed out, he always finds a way to make me laugh and make me feel better.”
What’s your favorite moment with each other?
“When we were dating. We had a date in Dallas, Texas, we went to the JFK memorial and it was really hot. I was kind of worried about our future like, what was he going to do and what I was going to do because he was going to live in Missouri and I was in Texas. We were kind of stressed about it, but we decided to just have a fun and awesome day. So that’s my favorite date.”
What did you get from Mr. Anderson for Valentine’s Day?
“Nothing yet, and I don’t care if I get anything because we’re not all about a date. Every day is Valentine’s Day for us.”
What are you planning to give him?
“Probably dinner and candy or something.”
(We were unable to reach Mr. Anderson…)
Sophomores Fredrick Young and Zanajah
Young love is in the air for this pair, who have been together for about a year and will hopefully be together for many years to come.
How long have you guys been together?
Fred: “A year and 3 months.”
What attracted you guys to one another?
Fred: “Her personality.”
Nay: “His personality.”
Do you guys have any future goals together?
Fred: “Yes, get a house and family.”
Nay: “Yeah, and also make some money together.”
What did you guys get each other for Valentine’s Day?
Fred: “A stuffed bear, a stuffed dog, a big card, and some candy.”
Nay: “He didn’t want me to get him anything.”
If you’re an anti-love or anti-Valentine’s Day person, I’m sorry to say you can’t escape the love being spread by these amazing couples. Love is such a beautiful thing…