18
FEATURE
June 1, 2011 • THE ARROW
it’s been a lovely time: As they prepare to enter college, four couples will have to adjust to life apart. (From top clockwise) Meghan Martinez and Dan Schneider, Haley Cohen and David Faltemier, Juana San Martin and Adrian Powditch, and Catherine Gebhardt and Matt Sullivan.
In it for the Long Haul Four couples, four stories. As their year ends, these high school sweethearts share memories and ideas about the future. together freshman year when all of their classes were right beside each other’s. Juana defines a “high school sweetheart” as “a couple that has been through all of high school together and are each other’s prominent memory of high school.” Some of their best memories together were at Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. While Juana greatly admires Adrian’s sense of humor, some of the traits Adrian appreciates most about her is the fact that “she’s cute, cares a lot about me, and is pretty inspiring.” Juana said, “No matter what happens in the future I know that we will always be great friends since we are so close right now.”
Katie Porush Danielle Ferrari Feature Editors As high school comes to an end, four high school couples share their stories about how they found love in high school and managed to stay together throughout all the good and bad times. These relationships prove that “high school sweethearts” are not just for romantic movies.
Meghan and Dan
Haley and David David Faltemier and Haley Cohen began their three-year relationship the summer going into sophomore year. They met
Matt and Catherine
Courtesy Photo
For the past four years Meghan Martinez and Dan Schneider have been inseparable. Both believe a “high school sweetheart” is a couple that “will always love each other and be an important part in one another’s lives.” Dan and Meghan’s relationship began freshman year after seeing each other around school and through mutual friends. In recollecting about the times they have spent together, she shared her favorite memory with Dan. “My favorite memory is the first time I hung out with him at Knott’s Scary Farm, and holding hands, but we both denied that we liked each other.” Dan’s favorite attribute about their relationship is their ability to be themselves around each other. Although Meghan could go on and on with all of the aspects she loves about Dan, his sense of humor and how easy going he is really stands out. They both know that no matter what, in the future they will always be good friends.
Prom?: Dan Schneider and Meghan Martinez share a moment the night Schneider asked Martinez to the prom.
at homecoming freshman year from mutual friends, but it wasn’t until they realized they attended the same church that they started talking. Haley defines “high school sweethearts” as “two people who have a great past together and consider each other their best friend.” They both believe that this quote fits their relationship since they are not just each other’s best friend, but so much more. “My favorite memories were all the road trips that we went on. From a 10-minute drive for some Wendy’s, or a five-hour drive to my grandma’s. The time alone spent behind the windshield was always a time to grow closer and just talk,” said David.
Another highlight is the vacations they took to Maui and Mexico with David’s family. They both believe the key to making a long relationship last is, “having complete faith and believing in one another. It’s easy to get caught up in the little things of high school life, but having a full understanding of what both your long term needs will withstand those in the heated moments.”
Juana and Adrian Juana San Martin and Adrian Powditch were forced to walk to every class
Matt Sullivan and Catherine Gebhardt’s relationship sparked freshman year on Valentine’s Day, a little over three years ago. When asked how they met Matt said, “I stole one of her banana chips in 7th grade science class. I also saw her in the Christmas mass and used it to talk to her!” They will always recall their high school days together as being “high school sweethearts.” “Come what may in the future, Matt will always be the guy I remember my happy high school years with,” said Catherine. Matt’s favorite memory with Catherine is, “this one time we went on a walk to her favorite spot by Lake Sherwood, then we made little pizzas together and watched a movie. It was our two month anniversary but it was such a happy memory for me.” Another highlighted memory of theirs is when Matt built Catherine a tree house for her birthday one year. This loving couple both agree that they have been lucky to have each other in their lives and that their relationship is built on a strong friendship that has withstood time.