Bishop Kenny High School | Jacksonville, Fla. Volume 71, Valentine’s Edition
6 MATCH MAKER Find the mystery two truths and a lie
8 KENNY KUPID
Are valentines not a thing anymore?
10 SAVE THE DATE Exploring Valentine’s date night spots
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Love is in the air, but more importantly, printed copies of the Shield are in your hands for the first time in four years! It is with joy and excitement that I write to you as Editor-in-Chief for what we call Issue 2.5 of the Shield. This Valentine’s Day, we decided to create an edition solely to celebrate the sweetest holiday of the year. Upon our pretty pink pages, you’ll find that we set our focus for Valentine’s Edition to be more entertaining than informative. (But don’t worry-- more content and coverage is coming in Issue 3 next month!) Just in time for Valentine’s Day, you’ll find that a beloved Shield character has made a reappearance for gossip,
Editor in Chief: Anna Bass A & E and Opinions Copy Editor, Design Editor: Rheece Singletary Features / Sports Copy Editor: Giovanna Feitoza News Copy Editor: Gloria Gjuraj Business Manager: Gabby Nunez Website Editor in Chief: Emily Wheldon Staff Reporters: Chloe Barron, Madi Bolen, India Brophy, Lorelei Carlton, Glory Dansou, Parker Fluhr, Leah Fullerton, Sophia Gredenhag, Serenity Mead Ally Milonas, William Wainwright, Sami Whitney Adviser: Jessica Durbin, CJE
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drama and scandals. That’s right, THE Kenny Kupid is back to spill the tea and share advice for hopeless Crusaders. And speaking of spilling the tea, we asked our student body about their love lives this season, and let’s just say the polls speak for themselves. If you’re lucky enough to have a valentine this year, we included a guide for some favorite date spots around Jacksonville, with options fit for any couple. But even if you don’t have a valentine this year, there’s no reason not to celebrate! Read all about why Galentine’s Day can be just as fun and special as the real deal. Coming from our all girl senior staff, we’d much prefer a night of rom coms and candy anyways.
Speaking of rom coms, flip to the back cover to see some of the most iconic songs from classic rom coms, according to our staffers. If you’re into games, we have our own spin on the retro game show “The Dating Game,” but in our version, see if you can match a face to a description and discover the lie hidden between the truths. Finally, you’ll find a guide to finding the perfect last minute present for your valentine that will be sure to knock their socks off! After just 5 weeks of effort (and really bad Valentine’s puns), we are proud to share this edition with you. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Mission Statement: The Shield is a student news magazine, published quarterly by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School, dedicated to empowering and informing the student body by delivering timely, accurate and engaging stories. We strive to uphold Bishop Kenny’s core values while fostering a sense of community, promoting critical thinking and celebrating the diverse voices and achievements within our school. Through our commitment to journalistic integrity and creativity, we aim to inspire and connect our readers, creating a culture of informed and engaged students. The Shield is a member of FSPA.
Policy: The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression. Advertising: If you are interested in advertising in The Shield, email newspaper@ bishopkenny. org for more information. Questions, Comments, Concerns: Letters to the editor are encouraged; submit to room 224. Names can be withheld upon request. 1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207 (904) 265-9390 Cover design | Glory Dansou, Parker Fluhr, Rheece Singletary
CONTENTS
THE SHIELD | FEBRUARY 2024
STORIES
04 05 06 08 09 10 12
LOVE AT FIRST POLL Are you pollin’ this V-Day?
QUIZ AND TELL
Your guide to the perfect gift
MATCH MAKER
Find the mystery two truths and a lie
KENNY KUPID
Are valentines not a thing anymore?
SINGLE SEASON
Galentine’s Day is ‘best day of the year’
SAVE THE DATE
Exploring Valentine’s date night spots
RHYTHM OF LOVE
Staff picks rom com songs
LOVE AT FIRST POLL Are you pollin’ this V-day? Lorelei Carlton | Staff Reporter Ally Milonas | Staff Reporter Roses are red, Crusaders are too. The results are in, here are a few.
What is your relationship status?
What’s your favorite romantic comedy? How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days 17.5% 10 Things I Hate About You 47.4%
When Harry Met Sally 5.3%
What gift do you want to recieve?
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 16.3%
She’s The Man 13.5%
Where do you want to take your date?
QUIZ AND TELL Valentine’s Day gift guide quiz Chloe Barron | Staff Reporter
Do you have a signifcant other?
Do you have a girlfriend?
Does she like jewerly?
Treat yourself!
Is he confident?
Does she follow trends? Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup:
People will go through a great deal to get limited edition colors of a Stanley tumbler, so why not get your girlfriend one for Valentine’s Day? They come in many styles, colors and sizes, depending on how much you want to spend. The 40-oz. stainless steel tumbler in watercolor blue can be found on Target.com for $45.00.
Is he sentimental?
Kendra Scott Necklace
Kendra Scott Necklace:
Jewelry is the gold standard of Valentine’s Day gifts, and Kendra Scott is one of the most popular brands out there. The Ari Heart Gold Pendant Necklace in “rose quartz” is a great option. This necklace costs $50.00 at KendraScott.com and in store with two different length options, 15”-17” or 17”-20.”
LEGO
LEGO:
Release your boyfriend’s inner child and get him a LEGO set. There are so many options to choose from depending on style, size and how much you want to spend. If he likes cars, the 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R is a fun choice. You can find this set at the LEGO store for $24.99. It also includes a mini figure!
Cologne
Cologne:
Want to buy your boyfriend a signature scent? Lots of guys enjoy the Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette. There are four size options available ranging from $68-$175. I would recommend the one ounce to start off with, then you can upgrade him later. The one ounce bottle can be bought at Nordstrom or Ulta for $68.00.
VALENTINE’S EDITION 5
match maker Find the mystery two truths and a lie Anna Bass | Editor-in-Chief Match the information in the boxes on the right to a person in the boxes below. Next, guess which sentences are true and which is the lie. To check if you’re right, flip to the back cover. Good luck!
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VALENTINE’S EDITION 7
KENNY KUPID Are valentines not a thing anymore?
D
ear Kenny Kupid, It’s almost Valentine’s Day and my boyfriend has STILL not asked me to be his Valentine! I mean, seriously? I keep hinting to him that I would appreciate it if I had a valentine this year…. But clearly he’s not getting the message. There was this one date where I thought maybe he would’ve asked. We were at the ice skating rink, and he kept repeating this one pickup line and it was so cringey, Kenny Kupid. I just went along with it because I was hoping he would ask the big question, but instead, I got a “I may not be the best skater, but I’m willing to fall for you.” Yuck! Who can say
THAT, but can’t ask their girlfriend to be their valentine? I’m so lost because we’ve been together since the beginning of the school year. In fact, I thought we had a perfect love story. This is so embarrassing! What am I supposed to tell my friends, that my “perfect” boyfriend doesn’t even want his own girlfriend to be his valentine? Kenny Kupid, I need your help. Is this normal? Maybe Valentines have gone out of style and I just didn’t know. Either way I don’t know how else to let him know that I would appreciate it if he asked me (his GIRLFRIEND) to be his valentine. Sincerely, Desperate Girlfriend
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D
ear Desperate Girlfriend, This is a tough situation, but not an unsolvable one. It’s so painfully obvious that your boyfriend is just scared to ask if you’d want to be his valentine. You are not desperate, you're just a girlfriend amidst this teenage boy epidemic. Boys will be boys right? Desperate Girlfriend, you have to help him on this one! It’s clearly become a new trend for guys to forget what Valentine’s Day is all about. Here’s exactly what you need to do. Get a new valentine. If your own boyfriend can’t step up, someone else will. Trust me he will definitely want you back after seeing you with someone else. It’s not really cheating….. it’s just having an open mind. You could break up with him to teach him something. If he doesn’t think he has to ask you to
be his valentine, should you really just stick around and wait? Bring up your Valentine concerns very subtly and if he doesn’t seem to get the hint, you’re going to have to leave him for at least a few days. That should get him thinking. If all goes south and you need a last resort…. create a fake anonymous message directed towards your “perfect” boyfriend. This message should consist of believable information. Make it seem as if one of his friends was giving him advice on how to build up courage to ask you to be his Valentine. It’s simple really; just pretend you’re me! End goal: have a Valentine for this Valentine’s Day (preferably your boyfriend.) Hope this helps! Wishing you the best of luck.
SINGLE SEASON Galentine’s Day is ‘best day of the year’ Madison Bolen | Staff reporter
F
or all y’all who don’t know, Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday traditionally celebrated today, February 13. This celebration had an interesting start. It was brought about as an idea from the TV series, “Parks and Recreation.” Yes, Galentine’s Day was created from an NBC comedy. I know, I was shocked, too. According to the show’s main character, Leslie Knope, Galentine’s Day is about “ladies
celebrating ladies,” and “kicking it breakfast style.” The episode aired in 2010, and only a year later, Galentine’s Day was trending on Twitter. Since then, the day before Valentine’s Day is known as Galentine’s Day and is celebrated as a way to spend a day with best friends. Most single girls normally dread Valentine’s Day and blow over the whole occasion, for obvious reasons, but I think girls should look at the
positive side and celebrate the friendships they have created. In other words, enjoy a single season. After all, romantic relationships come and go, but friendships go the distance. Amy Poehler, who played Knope, once said in an interview with LAist.com, that “Galentine’s Day reminds you that the women in your life are often your truest and longest loves.” So for all the girls, single or otherwise, don’t
TREA T YO SELF
overlook Galentine’s Day. Take the time to truly appreciate the friends who stand by you in thick and thin by spending time with them.
GALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS Thrift Shopping
Makeup Exchange
Baking Contest
You can find a lot of good brands in thrift stores such as Plato’s Closet and Uptown Cheapskate. Go on a shopping spree with your friends because who doesn’t love to get a lot of good clothes for cheap.
Make a budget and make a whole gift with makeup. You guys could do this either Secret Santa or White Elephant style if you have a bigger group. Either way, it’s really fun to receive nice makeup.
Get a group of friends and split up into different teams to see who has the best of the best baking skills. You can bake anything, or you and your friends can try to make a whole meal.
VALENTINE’S EDITION 9
SAVE THE DATE Exploring Valentine’s date night spots in Jacksonville Giovanna Feitoza | Features and Sports Editor
Hanna Park
I
f you’re looking for a romantic, beachy vibe on Valentine’s Day, then Hanna Park is the place to be. The classic stroll on the beach date would be perfect at sunset here.
For a casual alternative to the traditional dinner date, I recommend curling up on the beach on a blanket and enjoying a sunset picnic with your valentine.
If you’re more of the outdoorsy type, Hanna Park also offers hiking and biking trails throughout its property with beautiful views to enjoy.
Cooper’s Hawk
Y
our date deserves a splurge on Valentine’s! If you’re looking for some classy dinner reservations,
I recommend Cooper’s Hawk restaurant at St. John’s Town Center. They serve a wide variety of foods, from savory seafood
to creamy risottos. The ambience of the restaurant is perfect for a romantic night, with dim candlelight and modern decor.
Bella Vista has some of the most authentic Italian food in Jacksonville, with wonderful service. On the menu, you’ll mostly find Italian comfort food ranging from classic spaghetti bolognese, to chicken,
eggplant or veal parmigiana. To accommodate a growing clientele, there is newly renovated outdoor seating which includes an outdoor patio stringed with fairy lights.
Going to the movies is a classic date idea, and perfect if you’re looking for something easy and relaxed. A fun rom-com option could be “Lisa
Frankenstein,” or you could check out the newest Marvel movie, “Madame Web,” which comes out on Feb. 14.
Bella Vista
I
f you’re wanting a romantic dinner on a bit more of a budget, I highly recommend Bella Vista. Not only is it a personal favorite of mine, the restaurant is family-owned and has a homey Mediterranean vibe.
F
Movie Theater
or couples who are more introverted, but still want to go out together on Valentine’s, try Cinemark at Tinseltown.
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VALENTINE’S EDITION 11
RHYTHM OF LOVE Staff favorite rom com songs
MATCH MAKER ANSWERS
Names matched to the numbered boxes (lie number in parentheses): 1. Drew Jackson (1) 2. Matteo Rossilli (1) 3. Elle Deegan (2) 4. Chloe Holmes (3)
12 THE SHIELD | FEBRUARY 2024
5. Julie Meehan (2) 6. Diego Solis (2) 7. Payton Burnett (3) 8. Bella Hurst (3)
9. Jackson O’Brien (3) 10. Sheridan Delegal (2) 11. Seanna Mead (3) 12. Syrus Perez (2)
13. Clare Jackson (1) 14. Alexis Graves (3) 15. Sachin Somnarain (1) 16. Mateo Rojas (1)