By Shivali Shah, Digital Editor
Valentine’s Day brings a unique kind of energy–one filled with gestures of affection and appreciation that lifts spirits and creates a sense of connection. At River Hill, the annual rose sale has become a cherished tradition that taps into this spirit. Run by the Class of 2025’s SGA, the fundraiser offers River Hill students a chance to spread kindness while supporting a good cause.
From February 3rd to February 7th, 2025, students had the opportunity to order roses during all lunch shifts at a table set up outside the cafeteria. Each rose was priced at $3, though a bundle of five roses could be purchased for just $10. When buying a rose, students were asked to provide the name of the recipient’s 4B period teacher and could also include a personalized message that would be attached to the rose upon delivery.
Just like last year, this year’s rose sale was a resounding success, though there were a few notable adjustments to improve the experience for students. Senior Rishab Jain, Vice President of the Class of 2025 SGA, shared his thoughts on the changes, explaining, “The way we delivered them last year was a little crazy and I know there was some wilting that happened between us delivering them and people actually receiving them. So we went ahead and did silk roses this time, instead of real roses, and we hope that people will be happier with that.”
As for the delivery process this year, Senior Estelle Chen, secretary of the Class of 2025 SGA, explained, “We distribute the roses during period 4B, on February 14th. And how we do it is we have a little tag that is attached to the roses, and it’ll say the 4B teacher’s name, and then we’ll go into the classes and deliver it there. We typically try not to deliver them during lunch because we just find that it’s a little bit too difficult to find people.” By opting for silk roses and refining the delivery method, the SGA team aimed to provide a more lasting and efficient experience, ensuring that everyone could enjoy their roses for much longer without worrying about missed deliveries or the fading that comes with fresh flowers.
The primary goal of the fundraiser was to raise money for the Class of 2025’s senior gifts. While the gift itself will “be a surprise,” Chen explains, “Every year, the senior class does a senior gift for all the seniors, so this year we’re just continuing that tradition.” In addition to funding the senior gifts, the money raised will also be used to support “other senior-related events at the end of the year,” helping to make the final months of the seniors’ high school journey memorable.
The SGA officers emphasized that purchasing roses was not only an opportunity to raise crucial funds for the Class of 2025 SGA but also a way to strengthen the sense of community within the school. As Jain put it, “We need to raise money for our SGA but we also think that last year when we did the rose sale, it was a really awesome way to bring the community together. People really like it, we sell a bunch of roses and I think it’s a cute thing to do during Valentine’s Day.” The rose sale resonated with students because it offered a simple way to connect with others during Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t just about raising money, but it also gave students a chance to acknowledge and appreciate the people around them. As Chen reflected, “I think it’s really great that this money is going back towards the seniors, But I think in general, being an entire school fundraiser, it’s really nice people are able to share appreciation on Valentine’s Day, whether it’s to their partner, or to a teacher or to their friends.” Through the sale, the Class of 2025 SGA hoped to make Valentine’s Day more meaningful, while also supporting important senior events.
Junior Hailey Park, motivated by the Valentine’s Day spirit, chose to buy a rose for her friend. She explained, “I think it’s just a nice gesture and it could brighten someone’s day, and I feel like if you’re the person who receives them, you’d be pretty happy about it.”
Many recipients felt that the roses did in fact brighten their days. Junior Sanah Ahmed echoed this sentiment, saying, “I felt very loved and appreciated when I received a rose on Valentine’s Day.”
This year’s rose sale not only raised funds for the Class of 2025 but also fostered a sense of community and connection among River Hill students. By offering an easy but thoughtful way to express appreciation, the event allowed students to participate in a time-honored tradition while supporting their senior class. Whether it was for a friend, teacher, or someone special, the rose sale brought people together in a way that felt unique to River Hill. As Jain puts it, “I think it’s a pretty awesome little gift to have and you can’t really find this kind of comradery at different schools, I think River Hill really does it best.”