Valentine's Day at Blossom Montessori School

The students at Blossom Montessori school for the deaf know how to throw a Valentine's Day party!

Each year, deaf or hard of hearing children or children of deaf adults go all out. Not only dressing all in red, but painting their faces red, their hair red, even dying their lunches red!

The annual tradition is to have community leaders judge the kids in each classroom on the reddest outfit, reddest lunch, or the most creative use of red, as well as other categories.

Founded in 2003 by Julie Rutenberg, Blossom Montessori school for the deaf educates not only deaf and hard of hearing students, but children with deaf family members as well.

Tampa Bay is home to the fourth largest deaf population in the United States and Blossom not only serves children from Pinellas County, but also Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties as well.

By Eric Scott