As a twist to traditional Valentine’s Day, Sacred Hearts Academy students will celebrate the bond they have with women in their lives through what they’re calling, “GALentine’s Day.”

This term originates from NBC’s television series “Parks and Recreation.” 

“We oftentimes forget that the relationships we share with our gal pals are the most important ones we have in our lives, so this is a good way to celebrate the love that we share,” Student Council President and senior Raelynn Chu said.

Starting Friday, students and teachers get the chance to write cards to their friends and co-workers. Teachers of both genders can write and receive cards to support each other on GALentines.

The council is coordinating this event and has been hard at work, cutting out more than 500 red hearts for the high school to use for letter writing.

On Valentine’s Day morning, Student Council members will deliver letters to each homeroom.

“I feel like (writing cards to gal pals) rewrites the current social constraint of Valentine’s Day, as a holiday solely reserved for people and their significant others,” Chu said.

‘Go Red for Women’

But GALentines is more than just about celebrating friendships; it is about celebrating the lives of all women.

With red known as the color of love, Academy students will redefine this hue through the American Heart Association’s campaign, “Go Red for Women.” This movement aims to teach women about the risks of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

Both the high school and the lower school will spread awareness by wearing red on Tuesday.

Students can find more information about the dress code on Edline or on the Student Council’s Instagram.

“I think going red is a great way to show support for such an important issue,” said Student Council Vice President Ellie Ramirez. “It represents solidarity and unity.”

And what would this holiday be without something sweet? A Kona Ice food truck will be coming to campus on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Their quirky flavors, like orange ya happy and ninja cherry, will have the campus smiling in no time.

“Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love, not exclusively romantic love,” Ramirez said.