Valentine’s Day: A Celebration of Kindness and Competition
Students from Knoch, Mars Area and Butler Area school districts participated in Valentine’s Day-themed games that celebrated friendship, cooperation and kindness, which taught them that the holiday is about more than flowers and chocolates.
Through these games, children expressed appreciation for their friends and family; and shared joy and lifted each other up.
The games demonstrated that love comes in many forms, including fair competition and teamwork.
Charlotte Farah works on her Valentine’s activity as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Students from McQuistion Elementary make crafts to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Finley Kummer hugs principal Theresa Cherry as he gets ready to play a game as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Charlotte Farah enjoys working on her Valentine’s activity as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Wyatt Wretzel plays with a stretchy toy as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Finley Kummer shows Principal Cherry his decorated box as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Devlan Smith jumps for joy as he yells Bingo as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Patrick Rainey hands a bingo token to Madi Kalafut for a game as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Finn Reese shows off one of the heart shaped rings used to throw as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Students chase rings and play in the hallway of McQuistion Elementary in Butler to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Jay Hoy flies his caterpillar around the room he made during a craft exercise as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Sadie Bates throws a squeeze ball in the air and catches it as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Bingo pieces are placed out for all to see as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Bella Eury sees how many heart-shaped rings she can get on a pin as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Charlotte Farah hugs her mom Melanie as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Kaden Johnson, a third-grader, carefully chooses his target before launching his snowball as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Students from Megan West’s second-grade class show their painted hands after making Valentine's Day crafts at Knoch Primary School on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Brielle Fairtrace, a third-grader, throws snowballs as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Fiona Pohl, a third-grader, bowls in the hall as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ella Whiting, a second-grader, successfully completes the limbo as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Aria Olsen, left, paints Gage Monroe’s hand as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Libby Takosky, a second-grader from Megan West’s class, presses her hand down hard while working on a craft as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ethan Shoop, middle, has a contest to see who can get the most cotton swabs in a bucket as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Wyatt Zimmerman makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Grace Jackson smiles while playing a guessing game during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Aiden Scherrer makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Delaney Morocco plays a guessing game during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Madeline Lyle makes a Valentine's Day themed craft with Popsicle sticks during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Hunter Fowler makes a Valentine's Day themed dinosaur craft during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Rocco Sabatine makes a Valentine's Day themed dinosaur craft during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Rocco Sabatine makes a Valentine's Day themed dinosaur craft during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartners Colton Hertel, left, and Rocco Sabatine play with their Valentine's Day themed dinosaur crafts during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartners Colton Hertel, left, Rocco Sabatine and Hunter Fowler play with their Valentine's Day themed dinosaur crafts during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Charlotte Bidwell eats a Popsicle during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Lydia Windedahl eats a pretzel during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Madeline Lyle plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Lydia Windedahl drinks her juice during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Lily Sanchez eats a pretzel during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Connor Luecke plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Charlotte Bidwell eats a Popsicle during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Madeline Lyle plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Connor Luecke plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Kolson Hindley eats a Popsicle during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Abigail Bender collects cupid's arrows during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Zach Humphries plays a Valentine's Day themed version of pin the tail on the donkey where he works to pin an envelope on a monster while blindfolded during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Ella Cantrell plays a Valentine's Day themed version of pin the tail on the donkey where she works to pin an envelope on a monster while blindfolded during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Charlotte Farah works on her Valentine’s activity as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Students from McQuistion Elementary make crafts to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Finley Kummer hugs principal Theresa Cherry as he gets ready to play a game as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Charlotte Farah enjoys working on her Valentine’s activity as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Wyatt Wretzel plays with a stretchy toy as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Finley Kummer shows Principal Cherry his decorated box as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Devlan Smith jumps for joy as he yells Bingo as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Patrick Rainey hands a bingo token to Madi Kalafut for a game as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Finn Reese shows off one of the heart shaped rings used to throw as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Students chase rings and play in the hallway of McQuistion Elementary in Butler to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Jay Hoy flies his caterpillar around the room he made during a craft exercise as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Sadie Bates throws a squeeze ball in the air and catches it as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Bingo pieces are placed out for all to see as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Bella Eury sees how many heart-shaped rings she can get on a pin as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Charlotte Farah hugs her mom Melanie as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Kaden Johnson, a third-grader, carefully chooses his target before launching his snowball as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Students from Megan West’s second-grade class show their painted hands after making Valentine's Day crafts at Knoch Primary School on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Brielle Fairtrace, a third-grader, throws snowballs as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Fiona Pohl, a third-grader, bowls in the hall as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ella Whiting, a second-grader, successfully completes the limbo as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Aria Olsen, left, paints Gage Monroe’s hand as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Libby Takosky, a second-grader from Megan West’s class, presses her hand down hard while working on a craft as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ethan Shoop, middle, has a contest to see who can get the most cotton swabs in a bucket as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Wyatt Zimmerman makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Grace Jackson smiles while playing a guessing game during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Aiden Scherrer makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Delaney Morocco plays a guessing game during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Milo Winovich makes a heart shaped craft during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Madeline Lyle makes a Valentine's Day themed craft with Popsicle sticks during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Hunter Fowler makes a Valentine's Day themed dinosaur craft during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Rocco Sabatine makes a Valentine's Day themed dinosaur craft during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Rocco Sabatine makes a Valentine's Day themed dinosaur craft during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartners Colton Hertel, left, and Rocco Sabatine play with their Valentine's Day themed dinosaur crafts during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartners Colton Hertel, left, Rocco Sabatine and Hunter Fowler play with their Valentine's Day themed dinosaur crafts during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Charlotte Bidwell eats a Popsicle during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Lydia Windedahl eats a pretzel during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Madeline Lyle plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Lydia Windedahl drinks her juice during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Lily Sanchez eats a pretzel during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Connor Luecke plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Charlotte Bidwell eats a Popsicle during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Madeline Lyle plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Connor Luecke plays a cupid's arrow game during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Kolson Hindley eats a Popsicle during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Abigail Bender collects cupid's arrows during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Zach Humphries plays a Valentine's Day themed version of pin the tail on the donkey where he works to pin an envelope on a monster while blindfolded during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kindergartner Ella Cantrell plays a Valentine's Day themed version of pin the tail on the donkey where she works to pin an envelope on a monster while blindfolded during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Devlan Smith yells “Bingo,” and jumps for joy at a Valentine’s Day party Feb. 14 at McQuistion Elementary School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Students chase rings and play in the hallway of McQuistion Elementary School to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Finley Kummer hugs McQuistion Elementary School principal Theresa Cherry on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Aria Olsen, left, paints Gage Monroe’s hand during a Valentine’s Day activity Feb. 13 at Knoch Primary School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars Primary Center kindergartner Delaney Morocco plays a guessing game during the school’s Valentine's Day festivities on Friday, Feb. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Mars Primary Center kindergartner Wyatt Zimmerman makes a Valentine's Day book on Friday, Feb. 14, at the school. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Rowan Elementary School kindergartner Abigail Bender collects cupid's arrows during a Valentine's Day party on Friday, Feb. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Rowan Elementary School kindergartner Zach Humphries tries to pin an envelope on a monster while blindfolded during a Valentine's Day party at the school on Friday, Feb. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bella Eury sees how many heart-shaped rings she can get on a pin as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Charlotte Farah enjoys working on her Valentine’s activity as students from McQuistion Elementary in Butler celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Brielle Fairtrace, a third-grader, throws snowballs as students from Knoch Primary School celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Aaliyah Adams makes a Valentine's Day themed bookmark during Valentine's Day festivities at Mars Primary Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartner Lydia Windedahl eats a pretzel during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kindergartners Colton Hertel, left, and Rocco Sabatine play with their Valentine's Day themed dinosaur crafts during a Valentine's Day party at Rowan Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
