Matchmaker Results Are In At NHS

By Andrew Rote

Valentine’s Day brings winter weather, romance, and love. To celebrate, students at Newtown High School had the opportunity to participate in the Matchmaker. Last week, students received the results.

The Matchmaker is a test that is run by the Leo Club. Any students who chose to could answer a list of 36 questions about themselves and what they look for in a date. Once students answered these questions, the responses were all matched to see which people were supposedly a good fit for each other.

Results of the Matchmaker were available to the students for $2. The paper that they received features two lists of 10 names. The first list contains the people that the test-taker would probably like. The second shows the people that would probably like him or her. In addition to the two lists, there are two more names. One is the best same-sex match to find a most compatible friend. The other is a least compatible person.  Next to every name, there are percentages indicating to what degree the test-taker is compatible with each resulting name.

The objective of the Matchmaker is to raise money. The Leo Club is a group that helps out in the community. They conduct fundraisers for different causes, including the American Cancer Society.

According to junior Caitlin Palmer, treasurer of the Leo Club, ideas for fundraisers are discussed at the beginning of each year. Three years ago, the president at the time brainstormed the idea for the Matchmaker. She said that about 800 people participated last year and about 400 did this year.

Many of the students participated in the Matchmaker for curiosity or entertainment purposes. Those students said they would probably not act on the results, and it is just interesting to see whom they would be matched up with.

“My friends told me to [take the Matchmaker],” said Chris DiNoto, sophomore. He added, “I wanted to see who I am most compatible with.”

Senior Brandon Kirch said, “I was curious and I thought it would be funny.” He likes the test because it entertains him.

Christina Palmer, senior, also likes the Matchmaker as a form of entertainment. She added that she thinks the test is inaccurate because some of the people who take it may just give responses that they think will help them get matched with a specific person.

The questions ranged from asking about height to asking what the idea of a perfect date is. There were also questions such as what hair color one prefers, how athletic the person is, and the test-taker’s musical interests.

One of the downsides to the Matchmaker is that while students do receive a list of people with common interests, the test matches freshmen through seniors, which makes it difficult for a test-taker to know who everybody is.

“I don’t know half the people on the list,” said junior Erin Dennen.

Junior Karen Earle agreed that not knowing everybody on the list is a negative aspect of the test, but like most other students, she does not plan on acting on the results.

“I took it to support [Leo] Club,” she said.

Sophomore Aileen Nosal, on the other hand, liked the fact that all grades were involved. She said that she took it because her friends paid her $1.

Brendan Krueger, junior, participated last year and was pleasantly surprised.

“It was interesting seeing how I was number one on every girl’s list practically,” he said.

Sophomore Chris Thibdeau also remembers taking the test last year for a “good laugh.”

“It’s not like people are going to take it seriously,” he said. He explained that he took it last year because he was a freshman and he wanted to try something new.

Whether students were looking for their perfect match or just trying to have fun, the Matchmaker was the perfect way to take part in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.