Spring semester welcomes us with a few surprises, and that includes the newly offered Pre-marriage class taught by Thomas Sinagra.

About five weeks prior to the start of the second semester, ideas of a new class was only in the stage of a discussion, and 3 weeks after, it was approved.

Primarily focusing on juniors and seniors, pre-marriage is a course that teaches and enlightens the students not only the basic foundations of a stable relationship—that might ultimately lead to a marriage—but also the values of self-worth, acceptance, and disclosure.

“It’s not about what I can get, it’s what I can give,” Sinagra said.

According to Sinagra, a relationship is between two good forgivers who appreciate each other for who they are, and not what they are. He believes that a stable relationship is solely dependent on the selflessness towards each other, and the willingness to give.

“The public is selfish, and if in a committed relationship, they have to learn how to be unselfish and how to give to their significant other, or “serving each other,” Sinagra said. “In the class, students learn how to become responsible,” Sinagra said.

Responsible is a crucial attribute that everyone can benefit from throughout a person’s life, and in addition to learning the components of a strong relationship, pre-marriage students learn how to be responsible as young teens, students, and kids. The Pre-marriage teacher is preparing his student by watching videos and movies that concentrate on the different areas of an unhealthy family relationship, ultimately teaching his students what to avoid when trying to establish a stable relationship.

“Pre-marriage is pretty interesting because not only does he teach you about marriage, but he also teaches you about yourself, life, and how to become good men and ladies,” said Diana Figueroa. “I like the class because it teaches you about stuff that will help you later on in life.”

Similar to Figueroa, student Yadira Arellano agreed that pre-marriage has its perks as being taught.

“The class doesn’t focus on marriage. We go over characteristics that would help us to become better partners-for when we do get married. And the class is actually fun due to all the topics discussed- self disclosure, perseverance, manipulation and love.”

Though the existence of the class is sudden and may seem as if it were created to simply give students a variety of electives to choose from, students can actually acquire beneficial factors-mentally, physically and emotionally-that can be used in everyday life.