If you heard random vows of singing or the repeated chorus of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” in the halls on Feb. 14, it was probably someone getting a Singing Gram.
Singing Grams, a well-known winter tradition at FCHS, were sold the week before Valentine’s Day at lunches for students to buy for other students. Students could purchase a gram which would include a written message and piece of candy that would be delivered to the intended student by singing SGA students on Valentine’s Day. The cost was $2 per gram.
SGA members Ariana Nolte and Kaylie Stewart were in charge of the project. They wanted to make sure that this tradition was not only for students, but to spread Valentine’s cheer to staff and faculty members as well.
“SGA members will also go into the cafeteria and sing to the custodians and lunch staff to brighten their day,” said Nolte prior to the event. SGA also sang to random teachers and administrators during third block to spread positivity. Some students said they enjoyed the tradition, although the prospect of having five to seven upperclassmen sing to them in front of their entire class made a few students nervous.
“When I got the Singing Telegram, I was a bit nervous, but when I got up in front of the class and they started dancing, it was easy to dance and hum along,” said eighth grader Annika Potter.
Singing Grams are something that some students look forward to each year, as giving someone a Singing Gram is a way to let them know that they are interested in the other student. For others, it is just a fun way to show friends that they care.
“Last year, the juniors on the Speech Team all cashed in and bought the graduating seniors a Singing Gram as a thank-you gift for everything they had done,” said senior Kessler Potter, the older sister of Annika Potter. “Doing that for them made me realize that I kind of wanted to get a gram. I’d never gotten one before, so when my sister got one for me, it was very exciting. The only downfall is that I’m the only one in my third block, so there was no general class excitement to hype everyone up. I made sure to get one for her also, to make it fair,” she added.
Altogether, SGA sold a total of 69 singing grams. They raised over $135 for the SGA treasury, funds that go to decorating the Homecoming Dance or buying equipment for pep rallies. The SGA also adopts a family during the month of December, providing food and gifts during the holiday season. This is what most of the money raised by the Singing Grams will go to, according to SGA Treasurer Ariana Nolte.
If you missed your chance to get a friend or someone special a Singing Gram this year, they will be back next year with more choruses of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” echoing down the halls of FCHS.
