Growing up, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon shows depicted high school as a time for dating. In shows such as Bunk’d, iCarly, and Victorious, it seems as if, sooner or later, every character dates. However, in reality, that is not always true. At Bishop’s, where students strive to excel in academics, extracurriculars, and sports, is anyone making time for love? If so, what does the dating life actually look like at Bishop’s?
At Bishop’s, public displays of affection (PDA) are rare to catch while walking through campus. Compared to movies and shows, it is unlikely to see a kiss on the lips in the hall or people sneaking off to the prayer garden (that is just for middle schoolers). Perhaps this is because the Bishop’s Student and Family Handbook outlines that “public display[s] of affection” such as “kissing, lap-sitting and/or other conduct that may be deemed inappropriate” can be reported to Dean of Students Ms. Michelle Shea and result in “disciplinary action.”
Due to the lack of PDA at Bishop’s, it can be perceived that students are not as romantically involved compared to kids at other schools in San Diego and the nation. For example, Remko Kevorkian, a senior at La Jolla High School, said, “I think my school has more less meaningful relationships than Bishop’s. A lot of people ‘talk’ for a while, and then they might start dating because of it.”
Laine Jeffery (‘25), who is dating Declan O’Donavan (‘25), hypothesized, “Maybe because everyone thinks we’re so busy with school that we don’t have time to be in a relationship.” Ryan O’Donavan (‘27), who is dating Yina Shate (‘26), agreed, and added that he thinks students at Bishop’s are more mature and committed to relationships than at other schools.
Bishop’s does have romance. In a poll The Tower sent out to all Bishop’s students grades ninth through twelfth in October 2024, 40.3% of the 201 student responses reported that they had dated or are dating someone. Additionally, 55.2% claimed to have been on a date before. And because only 35% of kids in the U.S. ages 13 to 17 have been or are in a romantic relationship, Bishop’s dating averages are higher than national averages. Congrats, Bishop’s! We have once again knocked it out of the park.
But if this is true, how come it does not usually feel that way on campus? Lyla Beamer (‘25), who is dating Jacob Tsai (‘25), said students at Bishop’s are “professional” and do not feel the need to display their relationship at school. Lyla added that most of her time with her boyfriend is spent outside of school.
While students don’t get an A+ on a test or a CIF championship for dating, there are still many positive aspects to dating someone. Friendships can waver, school is stressful, and the future is unpredictable. However, a significant other can stand as an unwavering support system.
Laine said, “I am a way happier human because of Declan. Healthy relationships just make you a better human.” Wyatt Stone (‘26), who is dating Evelyn Walker (‘25), felt similarly, adding, “Being in a relationship has affected my happiness. I am overall happier and it is nice to have a close relationship with someone. It has also given me a nice work ethic because I want to get my work done so I can hang out with my girlfriend.”
Audrey Donnelly (‘26), who is dating Dominic Simopolous (‘26), said that she learned to value other people’s feelings through being in a serious relationship because she has had to learn how to compromise and put Dominic first at times. James O’Brien (‘26), who is dating Kate Bennett (‘27), added that he has learned the value of communication and how it is necessary in a healthy relationship. Lyla said, “Dating someone is having someone you can confide in and someone who can confide in you.” Aww! Don’t you love love? But seriously speaking, many Bishop’s students have commented on the comfort there is in having one person they know is always there for them.
Bishop’s students value the benefits of dating. As Athur C. Brooks in The Atlantic wrote in histheir piece “The Type of Love That Makes People Happiest,” “romantic love has been scientifically shown to be one of the best predictors of happiness.” As Harvard Medical School professors have written, being in love releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that makes people feel happy — and in the hectic atmosphere of high school, happiness is what all students want.
So despite Bishop’s not having the romantic atmosphere that you see in movies, relationships are actually very present on campus. Perhaps Laine put it best when she giggled, “Even though we are not in a movie, I think I have found my prince charming.”
Ben Brown contributed reporting
