Data Match is in the Air

February 18, 2010
Filed under Student Life

Every year, the student council has their traditional February fundraiser known as Data Match.  Many students were both annoyed and amused by this year’s Data Match questionnaire.  In the past, it has included such questions as:  “If you were a dessert, what would you be,” and “Which of the following do you enjoy with Cool Whip?”  Obviously, it’s hard to take anything like this seriously, but there are some students, like Jonathan Gunn that “actually try to take it somewhat seriously.”  However, the overwhelming consensus is that students find it somewhat ridiculous and treat it more as a joke rather than take it seriously.

One example of this ridicule is the fact that one entire AP class changed their names so as to sound like they were the opposite gender.  Mrs. Creamer’s AP/IB English Literature class even filled out a Data Match for the class mascot:  Chester Ratburn.  Other students instead choose to submit names with rather salacious connotations (i.e. Ben Dover, etc.)  While many students don’t take it seriously, that is art of the point:  it’s all just meant to be fun.  Let’s face it, who doesn’t want to know if they’re compatible with Chester or Han Solo?  Therefore, I predict sales will be rather healthy this year, as usual.

That being said, there are some students that find meaning in Data Match as it shows, to some extent, one’s changes in interests and with whom they are compatible.  Senior Taylor Wapshott says that she “saves all of my old Data Matches for sentimental reasons.”

In short, most students find Data Match to be a joke while others take it seriously; either way they will still continue to sell.  On the other hand some students and teachers alike find them rather annoying.  When passing out the Data Match forms, Mrs. Creamer even cried out “Surely, this is all just nonsense, and don’t call me Shirley!”

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