Anti-Valentine’s Day Brings Twist to Classic Holiday

An “Anti-Valentine’s Day” cookie. Photo Courtesy / Edita Bardhi An “Anti-Valentine’s Day” cookie. Photo Courtesy / Edita Bardhi
An “Anti-Valentine’s Day” cookie. Photo Courtesy / Edita Bardhi
An “Anti-Valentine’s Day” cookie.
Photo Courtesy / Edita Bardhi

By Edita Bardhi
Opinion Editor

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, ESU students were overjoyed by the university’ s third annual Anti-Valentine’s Day.

Presented by the Commuter Counsel, the group members aimed for every student to feel important on this couple’s day.

“For everyone, here at the U.S. country compared to other cultures, Valentine’s Day is the lovey-dovey holiday where everyone gets all happy with someone.

Then, they look at all the people who are single, and they feel like they are left out. So, we, as a group, came together to throw a holiday for single people.

To not make them feel like an outcast, but actual people. So, Anti-Valentine’s Day is a way of getting single people out there and letting them know, ‘hey, look, we are just as good as people in relationships,’” said Eric Fireston, president of the Commuter Counsel.

Rather than allowing the affectionate holiday to overcome strong feelings, students instead surrounded themselves by those alike, and enjoyed the day as is.

Refreshments were available as students became comfortable and spoke to one another.

Midway through, the seating areas were filled, for groups of friends came to enjoy the occasion. Students participated in numerous games such as Shoot Arrows at Cupid, Break a Heart Piñata and Balloon Darts. Participants in Break a Heart Piñata won a gift bag full of candy.

Students were also able to express their inner-feelings by creating a broken-heart cookie, cake or a cupcake.

One of the participants chose a cookie in the shape of a heart, and later wrote “No” in chocolate syrup.

“I have no other way of celebrating Valentine’s Day, so I figured why not come to the Anti-Valentine’ s Day. Because I have never really been one for Valentine’ s Day itself,” said Cassandra Bebiakl, a freshman and owner of the cookie.

As all of this was taking place, break up music was played in the background.

“We wanted to do something against Valentine’s Day. So, one of the girls in the group decided why not play break-up music for people who just came out of a relationship. The whole point here is to make single people feel better about themselves,” said Fireston.

At any point of the event, students could karaoke to a song of their choice. A few had even sung more than once.

An ESU commuter voiced her opinion on the Anti-Valentine’s Day occasion.

“The Anti- part is not really played for the negative connotation. It sounds a little too much but it’ s really more of just like ‘ everyone can do this, everyone can celebrate it.’ Not to be like, ‘ oh, I hate love.’ It’s open for everyone,” said Rose Blanc, one of the members of the Commuter Counsel.

She continued, “A lot of us, especially at this young age, are always curious about looking for love. And its holidays like these that make it a little more stressful for young kids.”

Email Edita at:
ebardhi@live.esu.edu