Crush Cans: A Test of Courage

Crush Cans have made their appearance once again after a two year absence. Student Council’s reintroduction of Crush Cans has stirred up some excitement amongst many of the senior students who have seen them before, but it appears as though many of the younger students have yet to find out what they are.

The concept of Crush Cans is extremely simple. A student can choose to buy a can of Crush Soda to send to another student anonymously. A student would choose to send a crush can as a subtle hint to let the receiver know that they have feelings for them. The Crush Cans are sold in three flavors: orange, grape, and cream soda. Each color signifies something different; the orange one representing friendship, the purple one representing the words, “I have a crush on you”, and finally, the pink one representing the three unforgettable words, “I love you”.

Some students will have no problem deciding whether or not they want to send a Crush Can. Those who are already in a relationship will find no difficulty purchasing a pink Crush Can and sending it to their significant other. However, people who are secretly admiring someone else would find it much more difficult to pluck up the courage and send one. Fortunately for those students, Student Council has decided to send all Crush Cans anonymously this year. However, something that may begin as a subtle hint might turn into an opportunity for open humiliation. Although these Crush Cans are sent anonymously, there’s no way to be certain that rumors won’t get started and go around the school. In a community like a high school, gossip spreads as quickly as germs. There wouldn’t be a sure way to make sure that one who sends a Crush Can won’t get ridiculed for sending one.

So this Valentine’s Day, I won’t be wishing for anything like getting to be with the person I have feelings for. Instead, I’ll wish for courage. I’ll wish for courage to send a Crush Can, for courage to let that person know how I feel, and for courage to pull me through the possibility of getting a few jokes here and there if anyone finds out. I hope the rest of the student body will do the same; pluck up their courage to make Crush Cans 2011 a success like it was a few years ago, and make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one.

by Natalie Lo

Valentines Day -- love yourself...

VALENTINES DAY

Back in the early years of elementary school I always enjoyed Valentine’s Day. We used to make boxes or envelopes, which we decorated with pink and red hearts made out of construction paper. Then all the other kids in the class would walk around the class putting valentine’s into each bag or box. No one was left out. After we all returned to our seats we would dump out all the cards and candy onto to our desks. We would smile and giggle at the funny cards and stuff our faces with the chocolates and the candy hearts.

                                                                                                                               

Now, we can fast forward to the later years of high school. Valentine’s Day works completely differently than the previous years. Students line up at a table to order Crush cans for their “crush” or their friends. Then on Valentine’s Day, during one of the blocks, the student council members bring the drinks to the door. There, student’s names are called to receive their Crush cans. Kids laugh nervously as they walk to the door while other members of the class sit there and watch anxiously, wondering if their name is going to be called.

               

It’s really hard sitting in class watching other students receive Crush cans from their friends and admirers knowing that you’re not going to get one. That’s why I think we should come up with an alternative to Valentine’s Day. It could be called Love Yourself Day. You can buy yourself own favourite chocolates and jewellery and give yourself a big hug. That way, instead of having a Hallmark holiday that can make you feel lonely and insecure; you can celebrate this day every day! Because who wouldn’t like to feel loved every day?