Striking a chord in your Valentine’s heart with the sound of song, Woodgrove’s Belletones travel the halls, sharing the harmonies of the Backstreet Boys and Elvis Presley. For just three dollars, you can have a student or teacher serenaded by the sweet words of “I Want it That Way” or “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The choice between an upbeat well-known song and a slower classic gives the customers an option to give their Valentines a friendly or romantic message.
Woodgrove Belletones were inspired by another high school singing group’s video on social media, where the group was delivering singing telegrams. The tradition, which started only last year, has brought a fun new way to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Woodgrove. Junior Sophie Brozozowsky shared the challenges faced with coordinating such an event, saying, “The hardest part is being able to coordinate times when people are available to sell and rehearse the songs. We have a lot of members, so it is hard to get us all together at the same time.” While aligning the schedules of the members has its difficulties, the Belletones still manage to produce a harmonious sound.
The singers move through the halls jumping in and out of rooms, presenting students with music, and continuing to spread Valentine’s cheer. During Dentime, the group divides and conquers, traveling the school to complete as many Valentines as they can. Junior Sarafina Porter recognizes the hard work the group commits to and expresses the joys of the newly founded Valentine’s Day tradition. “My favorite part of doing the Singing Valentines was having the chance to bond with friends while singing on a special holiday,” she said. Despite the originally week-long event’s disruption due to weather, the group continued and extended the holiday activities by continuing the singing love notes the following week. The successful fundraiser brings entertainment to the school in the long period between winter and spring break, keeping the student body involved. The wide range of students purchasing, receiving, and singing the Valentines allows for an inclusive and joyful twist on the celebration of Valentine’s Day in a school setting.