February 14, St. Valentine's Day, always presents two important questions. Is this a true holiday, which is to be shared between lovers, or is this "holiday"

just a ploy invented by candy, card, and flower companies to swindle people into spending loads of money on various gifts?

Maybe this age old question will never be completely answered, but many people have various interpretations on the matter. Of course it's always nice to share this holiday with a special someone, but even if Valentine's Day isn't shared with a boyfriend or girlfriend, East students have found other ways of celebrating this holiday with those other special someones; friends.

Traditions are always fun to incorporate into holidays, and Valentine's Day is certainly no exception. Katie Joyce ('05) is one student at East who enjoys

celebrating Valentine's Day. This year Joyce plans on celebrating Valentine's Day by eating out at a

nice restaurant with her boyfriend, but in years past she has always celebrated Valentine's Day with her other single friends.

"Before most of my friends starting dating, we started a Pollyanna two years ago and would buy each other little gifts for Valentine's Day, and this year even though I'm excited about celebrating Valentine's Day with my

boyfriend, it was fun keeping a tradition with my friends," said Joyce.

Still, others think Valentine's Day is not a holiday worth celebrating. Brittany Berkey ('05) is one such student who fails to see the importance of February Fourteenth.

"I think Valentine's Day is a holiday for Hallmark. If you are truly in love with someone, then why is there only one day set aside to celebrate that love? People should show their appreciation for one another every day of the year," said Berkey.

Although Berkey does not like the fact that Valentine's Day has too many expectations on people, she is in no way bitter towards those who celebrate the holiday, and still plans to go out with her friends.

Whenever Valentine's Day rolls around, there are always going to be those who love it and those who hate it, but does this holiday have to be so black

and white? If there's no significant other when Valentine's Day creeps up, this fact alone should not make the holiday depressing.

Since grade school, we have learned to trade cards and celebrate with our friends. However, if there is still bitterness lurking around, cheer up, it is only one day of the year.