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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Pelham High School celebrated the Valentine’s Day holiday on Friday, Feb. 14 with a special tradition that empowers students and faculty alike.

The You Matter event consisted of students taking the time to write the name of every PHS student and teacher on a heart with words of encouragement. The initiative is spearheaded by Pelham United, a club on campus at PHS.

Miki Wilson, the sponsor of Pelham United and an ESL specialist at PHS, gave background on the event and its purpose.

“You Matter is an event created and started by Juan Vasquez, the prior ESL teacher at PHS, around 2018,” Wilson said. “The point of You Matter is to let every single student and adult in our building know that they are seen and valued… each person’s life has meaning… each person matters.”

Wilson added that preparation for the event began months prior to Valentine’s Day.

“The students of Pelham United, one of Pelham High School’s Green and Gold clubs, created a list of needed materials and a timeline back in December,” Wilson said. “Beginning in January, core members of the student leadership team helped lead sessions where each teacher’s roster as well as a faculty list was used to ensure that every person in our building received a heart with an uplifting message.”

The reaction from students and teachers, according to Wilson, made the event that much more worth it.

“We think the overall reactions from people were surprise for our freshmen and new students and joy and encouragement from other students,” Wilson said. “The first several moments are always incredibly rewarding as everyone sees the final outcome of all the hearts and begins looking for their own heart.”

Wilson concluded by expressing how the event aligns with PHS’s culture.

“Pelham United’s You Matter aligns with Pelham High School’s values and culture by encouraging students to intentionally reflect and regard the diversity that exists within our building, within each classroom and within each person,” Wilson said. “In our hyper-busy lives, it’s easy to just focus on ourselves or even to lose ourselves in the busyness. The messages on the hearts are a tangible reminder of the invaluable intrinsic worth each person has. It is our hope that just as our teachers and staff work to ensure each child knows that they have great worth, these hearts will remind each person, student or adult, that they are loved and valued… they matter.”