Are Matchomatics results exciting for students, or are they as bland as day-old candy hearts?

Students received online questionnaire results Monday and Tuesday following administration approval for Matchomatics, a campus-wide activity that pairs the most compatible students together based on responses, as one of the many activities during Palo Alto High School’s Love Week. 

The Associated Student Body distributed results outside of room 502. The results are categorized by gender and organized by percentages. Each participant receives a list of 30 matches in their grade, 20 matches in other grades, 10 matches that are the most opposite, and two mystery matches. Each match includes the students’ first and last name, as well as grade. 

Amid the eagerness of students to receive their results, many students had mixed opinions about whether the Matchomatics form and questions were useful determining matches. 

When asked if he would consider pursuing relationships with his top matches, senior Kyle Xu said he likely would not.

“No, not necessarily,” Xu said. “I like making new friends, but I wouldn’t say I’m that bold.”

The Matchomatics questions were primarily Paly-focused and vaguely brushed on the topics of hobbies and personalities. The questionnaire inquired about ASB-hosted activities — including Love Week and Spirit Week, and go-to Town & Country shops. Questions also asked about characteristics like preferred height, hair color, and age.

According to sophomore Clara Fesslmeier, the lack of variety and depth in the questions was disappointing. 

“The questions were really Paly-centric, and a lot of them I don’t do,” Fesslmeier said. “I don’t do a lot of school spirit stuff except for Spirit Week. It didn’t have stuff like, ‘What’s your favorite book genre?’, I felt like I would get people I didn’t know, but I only got people I know.” 

On the other hand, sophomore Ethan Cao felt the form and questionnaire were done fairly well and he appreciated the variety of questions.

“Most of the questions are pretty good, there might have been some that were a little too broad or vague,” Cao said. “I feel like for my friend matches, I know a lot of them. So I think it’s pretty accurate.”

Similarly, many received matches with their friends. The students in front of Room 502 crowded around two tables as they shared their delight and surprise, and sometimes disappointment, about their Matchomatics results.

Matchomatics received 493 responses from students across all grades, and as one of the Love Week events that gained the most traction, many were hoping the questionnaire would pair them with people they knew. 

According to Xu, his Matchomatics results were dissatisfying.

“It’s horribly inaccurate-” Xu said. “Clearly I don’t know these people.”

Despite being unfamiliar with the bulk of his matches, Xu still believes that Matchomatics is great activity for Paly students.

“It’s a good way of connecting with people in your grade or even outside of your grade,” Xu said. “[it] really helps create a sense of community.”

At large, Matchomatics seems to be an enjoyable activity for students to participate in and is likely to become a long-standing tradition for future Love Week activities. 

According to ASB Social Commissioner Kennedy Do, she enjoyed facilitating the event and is optimistic that Matchomatics will continue at Paly.

“This has been my second year helping facilitate Love Week,” Do said. “I’ve really liked seeing how students are bonding over the results, and I’m hopeful that ASB will continue to include Matchomatics as part of Love Week.”

According to Cao, the Matchomatics questionnaire provided students with entertainment and enjoyment amongst the stresses of school and classes. 

“It’s a way to have something outside of academics, socialize, and get new friends,” Cao said.