Love Week at Redwood High School began in 2015 as a way to foster kindness, inclusion, and school spirit. Created by the 2014-2016 ASB Director Mr. Miller, the tradition has grown into a cherished annual event filled with decorations, dress-up days, and community-building activities that bring students together in celebration of love beyond romance.
Origins: A New Beginning
In the spring of 2015, Love Week was introduced as a new tradition at Redwood High School. The idea was conceived by then-ASB Director, Mr. Nicholas Miller, as a way to transform the culture of the campus. The previous semester had been marked by toxicity within the ASB leadership, leading to Miller making the difficult decision to drop several students from the program and hold an emergency election to replace them. Love Week became the first major campus-wide project for the newly formed ASB team, and it has since become a cherished annual tradition.
the LOVE sign for a picture during Love Week 2015
The Purpose and Spirit of Love Week
Love Week was never meant to be solely about romantic relationships. Instead, it was designed to foster a greater sense of unity, kindness, and appreciation within the school community. As current ASB Director Ms. Aston explains, “They created Love Week to celebrate the love for the campus, love for each other, and for the school in general.” The goal was to make every student feel valued and included, ensuring that no one felt left out, particularly on Valentine’s Day—a day that can often be challenging for some.
The Tradition Takes Hold (2015-Present)
Each year, Love Week has grown in scope and significance. A hallmark of the week is the campus-wide decorations, including posters, banners, and the beloved tradition of placing paper hearts with every student’s name around the school. This practice, which dates back to 2000 when ASB President Britney Smith first introduced it, was reintegrated into Love Week, reinforcing the theme of inclusivity and belonging.
The tradition has also expanded to include:
- The Love Week Picnic: A Friday gathering where students eat lunch together, participate in games, and enjoy the sense of community.
- Dress-Up Days: Fun themes designed to engage students and celebrate different aspects of school spirit.
- Lunch Activities: Including games, contests, and interactive events meant to encourage connection and laughter.
- The Love Week Shirt: A special t-shirt designed by ASB each year, available for purchase by students and staff.
during love week ’23. Photo by A. Acevedo/Gigantea
Student and Staff Perspectives
Over the years, students and staff have reflected on the impact of Love Week. Former ASB members recall the intense preparation involved, from writing thousands of names on hearts to coordinating dress-up days. 2023 ASB President Savannah Torres (‘23) shared, “We’ve been preparing for Love Week for over a month now, coming up with new ideas and especially new ways to involve students on campus, through our campus decor.”
Even through challenges, such as unexpected weather conditions forcing the picnic indoors, the spirit of Love Week has persisted. In 2019, a rainy Love Week led to an improvised indoor picnic, but as Noah Estrada (‘22) noted, “It brought down a lot of what we were gonna do but, I feel like we compromised and made fun out of what we had. That’s what I like about Redwood.”
For seniors, Love Week often holds a bittersweet significance as they celebrate it one last time before graduation. Jennah Cook (‘19) reflected, “Love Week is a part of me because as a senior, I got to experience it and every year the student bonding has improved.”
The Legacy of Love Week
Love Week’s success is a testament to its founding principle: that love, kindness, and community should be central to the Redwood experience. As Mr. Miller once said, “It’s weird that we have to have a week for love. Why isn’t that the goal every day?” Yet, by setting aside a dedicated time to celebrate love in all its forms, Redwood has built a tradition that continues to unite students and create lasting memories.
From its rocky beginnings in 2015 to becoming one of Redwood’s most beloved traditions, Love Week has left an indelible mark on the school’s culture. As each new generation of ASB leaders takes on the responsibility of continuing the tradition, one thing remains clear: at Redwood, Love Week is here to stay.
