PHS Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Campus Events

Aubrie Kendall, Staff writer • February 10, 2026

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Love is in the air at Parkersburg High School and is being celebrated with several Valentine’s Day-themed activities across campus, including a “blind date with a book” event hosted by the library, a National English Honor Society fundraiser and Key Club’s carnation sale.

The festive table Dotson has set up for students to choose their blind date with a book, along with romance novels to pick from. (Aubrie Kendall)

Throughout the month of February, the library will be offering a “blind date with a book.” As students walk into the library, they are greeted by a festively decorated table with heart balloons and a selection of books personally chosen by librarian Sheena Dotson. The books are wrapped like a gift and include a short description on a heart-shaped note card, allowing the students to choose a book based on their interests. There is a variety of nonfiction and fiction with selections of all genres and topics, not just romance.

“I just thought it would be a cute, fun way for Valentine’s Day to get books into students’ hands who otherwise maybe wouldn’t check out a book,” Dotson said.

In addition to the library’s event, National English Honor Society is selling handmade flowers made out of book pages until Wednesday, Feb. 11. To place an order, students must know the Advisory teacher of the person they are sending the flower to. Members will be visiting classrooms during advisory for orders, and students without an advisory class should see Ms. Hindman in room 316S. Flowers cost $2 each and will be delivered to students on Friday, Feb. 13 during Advisory.

“This is just a really good fundraiser for us. The flowers are fun to make and it’s an easy way for NEHS to get some extra funding,” senior NEHS liaison Sam Bailey said. “I have taken on the brunt of this project with advertising and organizing people to sell, so seeing it go well is really cool.”

A book page carnation made by Sam Bailey in preparation for the NEHS fundraiser. (Sam Bailey)

The last Valentine’s Day fundraiser is being organized by Key Club. Members are selling carnations through Thursday, Feb.12 during fifth and seventh periods in the cafeteria. Carnations may be picked up by the student on Friday, Feb. 13 during lunch. If any carnations remain, students will be able to purchase them on Friday as well. Carnations are priced at $2 for one or $3 for five. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society and help fund Key Club shirts and members’ attendance at the district convention in the spring.

“We decided to sell carnations again because it seemed like the school community liked the idea, as we sold out last year and members enjoyed selling them,” Key Club vice president Kara Pascarella said.

About the Contributors

Aubrie Kendall, Social Media Manager

Aubrie Kendall is a senior and this is her third year on staff. Her job as a part of The Journal is not only staff writer, but also social media manager (go follow @phsmedia.wv on Instagram). She is Student Council Vice President, Diversity Student Union Vice President, Social Media Manager for Key Club, a member of Senior Women’s Club, and an A Cappella Choir member along with Social Media Manager. In her spare time she loves to waste gas by driving around while listening to Laufey, Clairo or Disney music. She is so excited to make cool social media posts and help make the site live up to its potential.

Sam Bailey, Staff writer

Sam Bailey is a senior and this is her first year on staff. She is a member of the Big Red Band, and plays the clarinet, saxophone, harmonica and accordion. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, Thespian Troupe #261, National English Honor Society, and Quill & Scroll. Sam is a three-year people editor for the Parhischan, and is looking forward to getting to write more this year. When she isn’t busy doing something at PHS, she can be found reading, baking, listening to music or watching movies in her spare time. She is excited to learn more about the school and share her opinions in The Journal.