By Bryson Carter

Valentines’ festivities at Greensboro College were nothing short of amazing. From stuffed animals to secret admirers, the week had everything a college student could ask for.

The activities started with the annual Build-A-Bear event run by Student Activities.

“I love that so many people get excited for this event,” said Director of Student Activities Jonathan Hall. “They come in so ready to see what animal they will choose this year, and there are always so many good ones to pick from.”

Hall especially enjoys watching how the event brings the GC community together.

“It draws such a big crowd of so many different people. Everyone’s in there getting to play and have fun around a huge pile of stuffing, while all working on the same thing right beside or around others you might not hang around with at other things.”

The Residential Life team also had some Valentine’s Day fun, letting students write candy grams for other residents across campus. Bethany McQuinn, Hill Hall Resident Advisor, took charge of the event and made sure it all came together.

“I really enjoyed seeing people send positive messages to friends or loved ones and spreading joy throughout the holiday,” McQuinn stated when asked what her favorite part of the event was. In her eyes, the activity was really a two-way street.

“They get to connect to other students and as RAs we get to meet students we may not interact with on a daily basis,” she explains. “It helps us build that relationship and grow in our job by becoming more approachable and known.”

Additionally, the Civic Leadership Program (CLP) wanted to spread some love outside of the Greensboro campus. CLP hosted an event dubbed ‘Blessings and Bloomings’ outside the cafeteria the day before Valentines. Students were able to stop by and write a message for residents at a local nursing shelter. The messages were delivered with flowers and a piece of chocolate.

“I loved seeing all of the students come by and make sweet letters during the event,” Xypher Pino, co-head of CLP explained. He also enjoyed just being able to work with the CLP ambassadors to come up with an event that impacted more than just GC.

With all of these events and more for students to participate in, no one was left alone this Valentine’s Day. The collaboration and community that was created can be found nowhere else. It is definitely safe to say that Greensboro College felt the holiday spirit.